From Mining to Tourism: Assessing the Destination’s Image, as Revealed by Travel-Oriented Social Networks

User-generated content on travel platforms significantly influences the perceived image of post-mining tourist destinations, offering valuable insights for shaping tourism development strategies. This study analyzes data from Google Maps and TripAdvisor to assess the destination's image, focusing on three former mining regions: Jiu Valley and Ștei in Romania, and La Louvière in Belgium. The research reveals that travellers' content can highlight both strengths—such as natural settings or well-preserved industrial heritage—and areas needing improvement, such as perceptions of decay. By treating travellers as key stakeholders, this approach provides actionable recommendations for enhancing the attractiveness and sustainability of post-mining tourism destinations.

Nicola, S., & Schmitz, S. (2024). From Mining to Tourism: Assessing the Destination’s Image, as Revealed by Travel-Oriented Social Networks. Tourism and Hospitality, 5(2), 395–415. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp5020025