A Phenomenological Analysis of the Effects of Online Bookers' Subjective Experience of Idealized Representations in Tourism Industry Advertising Images

Khodadad Hosseini, Seyes Hamid; Asadpour, Mohammadreza; Hendijani, Rosa; Kordnaeij, Asadollah

doi:10.22054/tms.2026.93231.3210

A Phenomenological Analysis of the Effects of Online Bookers' Subjective Experience of Idealized Representations in Tourism Industry Advertising Images

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Seyes Hamid Khodadad Hosseini ¹

Mohammadreza Asadpour ²

Rosa Hendijani ³

Asadollah Kordnaeij ⁴

¹ Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

² PhD Student of marketing management, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

⁴ Professor, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22054/tms.2026.93231.3210

Abstract

This study explores online bookers’ subjective experiences when encountering idealized representations of accommodation and tourism destinations and identifies the existential themes emerging from such interactions. Adopting a qualitative approach within an interpretive paradigm, the study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using photo/video elicitation techniques. Analysis of interviews with 27 participants yielded five main themes and eleven sub-themes: idealism (inflated expectations and changing aesthetic preferences), identity meaning-making (social comparison, ideal self-construction, and preference alignment), perceptual duality (doubt and trust/distrust), emotional-cognitive engagement (attention and emotional stimulation), and negative emotional-psychological responses (psychological pressure and unpleasant feelings). Comparative analysis revealed a significant process shaping users’ interpretation and perception of idealized promotional content. Findings indicate that idealized tourism advertising profoundly influences online bookers’ mental experiences and highlight the importance of greater transparency in advertising to reduce negative effects.

Keywords

Idealized Representations

Tourism Industry

Interpretive Phenomenology

Subjective Experience

Subjects