This book can be used by practitioners, students (undergraduate, postgraduate, and research), and lecturers alike. Despite the wide range of publications on destination marketing (and more generally speaking, on destination management), this book authored by Charlie Mansfield and Jasna Potocnik Topler offers a perspective which is under-investigated by academics and under-exploited by the industry, namely, travel writing. Additionally, the content of the book makes it a 'one-stop-shop' because it can be used for research methods modules (see chapters 4 & 5), for marketing modules (see chapters 1 & 3), academic skills (chapter 6), and even for creative writing modules on programmes other than tourism such as English literature (chapter 5). These chapters provide clear guidelines to researchers, students and practitioners interested in either producing travel writing or deciphering existing texts. One of the main strengths of this book lies in the fact that it goes beyond the visible aspect of destination branding, as it also explores the affect dimension of branding which is sometimes conveyed, enhanced, and communicated by travel writing.
Dr Hugues Seraphin, Senior Lecturer in Events & Tourism, Unit of Assessment 17 Research Lead, PGR Students Lead, University of Winchester, UK.
This book offers an innovative resource to new and experienced travel writers, by bridging the gap between the field of creative writing and applied academic subjects, such as marketing and branding. As such, the book offers great value by showing the practical use and modus operandi of travel writing.The book can be used by managers in DMOs through its demonstration of the effectiveness of travel writing as a marketing tool. The real added value for practitioners and managers alike is that it renders abstract concepts very tangible and applicable to real-world situations.
Philipp Wassler (PhD), Assistant Professor, Department of Management at the University of Bergamo, Italy.