Tourism Destination Brand Identity: The Case of Slovenia

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of tourism destination brand identity from the supply-side perspective, in contrast to those studies which have focused on the demand-driven, tourists’ perceived tourism destination brand image. Both researchers and practitioners have concluded that an analysis of the branding concept from both the identity and perceived-image perspective is essential and should be intertwined, where appropriate. However, this study argues that investigations of tourism destination branding have primarily been conducted from a perceived-image perspective. Therefore, the dearth of studies offering an insight into the supply-side perspective may lead to an unbalanced view, misunderstandings and oversights concerning the possibilities and limitations of tourism destination branding. It introduces a theoretical framework designed to analyse tourism destination identity, particularly for the case study of Slovenia.

Keywords: brand identity, brand concept, Slovenia, tourism destination branding, perception

JEL Classification: M31, M39