The Image of Island Destinations (IDs): A social media examination of the societal perceptions of island destinations

Dr. Thomlinson received an Internal Grant for Research for a project examining the perception of islands though social media marketing to better manage visitation to and on islands.

This research will be using social media (Instagram) to explore how islands are depicted visually and verbally, pre-COVID and during/post COVID. A better understanding of how the public views island destinations (IDs) can be valuable in a variety of areas. Marketing relies on image to attract visitors to a location, therefore by determining the island images that attract or repel visitors, marketing can be improved. Perception of islands impacts not only visitation of islands, but also expectations and behaviours while on the islands. By establishing the preconceptions of islands, destinations can better manage visitation to and on the islands.