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146 destination management
limitations, selections are made only after the
consumer has constructed a set of acceptable
alternatives. Research in tourism has identified
several destination choice sets, including awareness,
awareness-unavailable, unaware, early consideration,
inert, inept, action, inaction and late
consideration.
There is general agreement on the structure of
the overall destination choice process as including
some or all of the following: perceptions �belief
formation) of destination attributes in the awareness
set through passive information catching; a
decision to undertake a pleasure trip �problem
recognition/formulation); evolution of an evoked
set from the awareness set of destinations �search
for alternatives); perceptions �belief formation) of
the destination attributes of each alternative in the
evoked set through active solicitation of information
�evaluation of alternatives); selection of a
destination�s); and post-purchase evaluation.
Further reading
Crompton, J.L. �1992) `Structure of vacation
destination choice sets', Annals of Tourism Research
19�3): 420±33. �Describes and operationally
defines destination choice sets.)
Moscardo, G., Morrison, A.M., Pearce, P.L., Lang,
C.T. and O'Leary, J.T. �1996) `Understanding
vacation destination choice through travel motivation
and activities', Journal of Vacation Marketing
2�2): 109±122. �Presents a model of
destination choice incorporating travel motivation.)
Um, S. and Crompton, J.L. �1990) `Attitude
determinants in tourism destination choice',
Annals of Tourism Research 17�3): 432±48. �Develops
a two-stage approach to travel destination
choice.)
LAURIE MURPHY, AUSTRALIA
destination image see image, destination
destination information system see decision
support system; geographical information system;
marketing, destination
destination life cycle see life cycle, destination
destination management
Destination management is the integrated process
of managing any of the three tourism destination
types �urban, resort and rural). It covers four key
elements: the destination offering �visitor experience,
destination image and attractiveness); the
visitor mix �market research); marketing communications
�awareness and promotion); and
organisational responsibility �leadership and
partnership). This process is typically performed
by a convention and visitors bureau, a state/
provincial/regional tourism office and/or a national
tourist organisation.
DONALD ANDERSON, CANADA
destination management
company
Destination management companies provide onsite
coordination services for visiting groups. Much
of their business arises from the meetings, conventions,
exhibitions and incentive tourism segments.
They liase closely with corporate and association
meeting planners, incentive travel planners,
tour operators and wholesalers to arrange
locally oriented events and logistics such as
transportation, banquets, and other functions
and activities. They provide seamless organisation
and one-stop shopping with local expertise.
GEOFFREY I. CROUCH, AUSTRALIA
destination management
organisation
The term destination management organisation
�DMO), also known as a destination marketing
organisation, refers to either a convention and
visitors bureau, a state/provincial/regional tourism
office or a national tourist organisation/administration.
These organisations are the entities
mandated to undertake the process of tourism