The Impact of Destination Image on Tourist Satisfaction and Destination Loyalty. How Can Central Asian Countries Break International Stereotypes on Them?

Abstract

Tourism is an extremely complex field and to understand its complexity, any of its components should not be overlooked. Therefore, as many other scholars have done before, this thesis aims to analyse the important factors of all tourism activities: destination. From the impressions, opinions and reflections of travellers who have visited Uzbekistan, I try to determine how the image of the destination they recently visited has an impact on their satisfaction and loyalty. them towards this destination. Therefore, this article presents a study to evaluate the image of tourist destination according to the perception of tourists who have visited and their satisfaction and intention to return/recommend may be affected. affected by this. The sample included 25 foreign tourists, contacted directly and via social media, who visited a tourist destination in Uzbekistan with at least one-night stay in. Following the statistical analysis of the answers provided, it was found out that there are a number of elements of major importance for the foreign tourists, while other aspects have a slightly influence on their satisfaction and loyalty.

The conclusions of this research should be taken into account by all the stakeholders involved in the development and promotion of tourist destinations in Central Asian countries, as the contribution of tourism to the economic and cultural development of the countries is an important one, according to some official reports. Moreover, the research can help to understand the ways how Central Asian states – Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan can attract more foreign tourists as they remove international stereotypes on them