Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media

Amelia S. Rocksand

doi:10.24288/jttr.1700836

Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of sports tourism destination image (STDI) by examining the roles of infrastructure and facility adequacy (IFA), branding and promotional effectiveness (BPE), and social media posts (SMP). Drawing on destination image theory and digital engagement perspectives, a structural model was tested using survey data from 357 sports tourists. Results demonstrate that both IFA and BPE significantly enhance STDI, directly and indirectly, through SMP. The findings confirm that SMP functions as a central mediating mechanism, translating traditional destination attributes into co-created digital narratives that strengthen image formation. By integrating offline and online factors, this study advances theoretical understanding of sports tourism destination image. It provides practical guidance for managers and policymakers aiming to enhance competitiveness in increasingly digital tourism markets.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism Marketing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Amelia S. Rocksand ^*
0009-0004-1221-0627
United States

Early Pub Date

September 26, 2025

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700836

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA53ZG29CJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Rocksand, A. S. (2025). Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 11(2), 47-55. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700836

AMA

1.Rocksand AS. Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research. 2025;11(2):47-55. doi:10.24288/jttr.1700836

Chicago

Rocksand, Amelia S. 2025. “Determinants of Sports Tourism Destination Image: The Interplay of Facilities, Branding, and Social Media”. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research 11 (2): 47-55. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700836.

EndNote

Rocksand AS (September 1, 2025) Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research 11 2 47–55.

IEEE

[1]A. S. Rocksand, “Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media”, Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 47–55, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.24288/jttr.1700836.

ISNAD

Rocksand, Amelia S. “Determinants of Sports Tourism Destination Image: The Interplay of Facilities, Branding, and Social Media”. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research 11/2 (September 1, 2025): 47-55. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700836.

JAMA

1.Rocksand AS. Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research. 2025;11:47–55.

MLA

Rocksand, Amelia S. “Determinants of Sports Tourism Destination Image: The Interplay of Facilities, Branding, and Social Media”. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, vol. 11, no. 2, Sept. 2025, pp. 47-55, doi:10.24288/jttr.1700836.

Vancouver

1.Amelia S. Rocksand. Determinants of sports tourism destination image: The interplay of facilities, branding, and social media. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research. 2025 Sep. 1;11(2):47-55. doi:10.24288/jttr.1700836

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https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1851740