Discourse construction of tourist destination: ways of seeing, ways of being

Abstract

In tourism communication, it is interesting to look at discourse practices which underpin the commodification of leisure and the promotion of the tourist destination, as well as the discursive creation of the identity of the tourist/traveller. In a digital environment, this latter becomes the central figure, being both the producer of the text and the message recipient. Nowadays discourses increasingly take the form of hybrid genres that emphasise the promotional aspects of the holiday destination and the emotive implication of the receiver, including by means of criticisms and complaints. In this new discursive scenario, lexis guide our way of thinking and can shape or influence our travel experience.