Resumen de The Image of Hostel Accommodation From the Tourist’s Perspective: an Analysis of Online Booking Platforms

Duarte Carreiro, Arminda Maria Finisterra do Paço, Helena Alves

• The purpose of this study is to analyse the image created in tourists' minds, at times prior to the trip, and specifically, when choosing accommodation, with the source of information being the comments posted on online booking platforms. The Echtner and Ritchie model was used to analyze and treat a sample of 2210 comments, collected from three different booking platforms. To validate this research, a content analysis was performed using Echtner and Ritchie models which analyses an image from tourist destination by three dimensions. The comments were analyzed from the following dimensions of a tourist destination: holistic and individual attributes, functional and psychological characteristics, and the common or unique character of the destination's features. It was found that guests tend to perceive an image based on Functional/Attribute and Functional/Psychological attributes, which include facilities, meals and drinks, location, cleanliness and staff. This study utilizes original and authentic data, from tourists who spent time on lodging accommodations. The study is of practical relevance since it gives suggestions that should be used by hostel managers.