Qualitative and quantitative analysis of tourism-inducing factors in audiovisual fiction and their effects on audiences and potential tourists.

Ref. PID2020-112668GB-I00. Funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) of the Spanish Government.

Summary

The aim of this research project is to analyse the possible tourism-inducing factors in Spain that are specific to audiovisual fiction. The purpose is to identify the aspects in fictional series or films shot or set in Spain that contribute to modifying or improving the image of the destinations and their tourist attractions and to motivating people to visit them. Our starting hypothesis is that the tourism-inducing factors in audiovisual fiction are related to the degree of exposure of tourist attractions and destinations in them and also to the different types of interactions established between these and the components of the audiovisual story.

On one hand, the project seeks to analyse the way in which tourist destinations and attractions are represented and treated in audiovisual fiction. And, on the other hand, it also aims to observe what effects a particular treatment produces on potential tourists, in terms of the construction of their image and the motivation to visit them. Achieving this objective involves using the methods of content analysis and audience effects analysis.

The methodology of the project attempts to solve some recurring problems that occur in the analysis of tourism induced by film and television. For its part, the results of the research will make it possible to delve deeper into the impact of film and television fiction on the imaginary of spectators and the promotion of destinations, and will lead to the preparation of reports of a propositional nature for their eventual application to tourism marketing management. Likewise, its interdisciplinary nature makes it ideal for arousing the interest of researchers working in the fields of audiovisual communication, cultural management, economics and tourism marketing.