Optimizing Digital Marketing in Strengthening Tourist Destination Marketing: A Conceptual Study in the Tourism Sector of Jambi Province

Authors

  • Gupron Gupron Universitas Batanghari, Jambi, Indonesia
  • M. Ridho Mahaputra Business Management Program, BINUS Business School, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Andri Yandi Universitas Batanghari, Jambi, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38035/sijdb.v3i4.376

Keywords:

Digital Marketing, Brand Awareness Destinasi, Electronic Word of Mouth (e-WOM), Visit Intention

Abstract

Digital transformation has shifted the marketing paradigm of tourist destinations through the utilization of various digital platforms capable of reaching tourists more broadly and interactively. Nevertheless, the implementation of digital marketing in the tourism sector in Jambi Province still faces challenges in optimizing its impact on strengthening destination marketing. On the other hand, most previous studies tend to examine the effect of digital marketing on brand awareness, electronic word of mouth (e-WOM), or visit intention partially, while studies that integrate these three aspects within a single conceptual framework in the context of regional tourist destinations remain relatively limited. This study aims to develop a conceptual model for optimizing digital marketing in strengthening tourist destination marketing through enhancing brand awareness, e-WOM, and visit intention in the tourism sector of Jambi Province. The research employs a qualitative approach using a conceptual review method through systematic literature study of relevant scholarly articles, books, and publications on digital marketing and tourist destination marketing. The findings indicate that an integrated digital marketing strategy has the potential to build destination brand awareness, encourage the dissemination of positive information through e-WOM, and increase tourist visit intention. These three constructs are interrelated and form a mechanism that strengthens the effectiveness of tourist destination marketing. The novelty of this research lies in the development of a conceptual model that integrates brand awareness, e-WOM, and visit intention as primary mechanisms in optimizing digital marketing within the context of the tourism sector in Jambi Province, thereby serving as a foundation for empirical research as well as for formulating digital-based destination marketing strategies.

References

Abubakar, A. M., & Ilkan, M. (2016). Impact of online WOM on destination trust and intention to travel: A medical tourism perspective. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 5(3), 192–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2015.12.005

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Atzeni, M., Ieva, M., & Massa, P. (2022). Enhancing visit intention in heritage tourism: The role of object-based and existential authenticity in non-immersive virtual reality heritage experiences. International Journal of Tourism Research, 24(2), 240–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2497

Ayeh, J. K., Au, N., & Law, R. (2013). Predicting the intention to use consumer-generated media for travel planning. Tourism Management, 35, 132–143.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.06.010

Azzahra, S. G., Fadhlurrahmah, S. N. A., & Suhartanto, D. (2025). From social media to experience: A digital marketing model for tourism destination in Bandung Regency. Journal of Tourism Sustainability, 5(4).

Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Jambi. (2024). Provinsi Jambi dalam angka 2024. Jambi: Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Jambi.

Brodie, R. J., Ilic, A., Juric, B., & Hollebeek, L. (2013). Consumer engagement in a virtual brand community: An exploratory analysis. Journal of Business Research, 66(1), 105–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.07.029

Buhalis, D., & Law, R. (2008). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet—The state of eTourism research. Tourism Management, 29(4), 609–623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.01.005

Chen, C. F., & Tsai, D. C. (2007). How destination image and evaluative factors affect behavioral intentions. Tourism Management, 28(4), 1115–1122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.07.007

Chen, Y. C., Shang, R. A., & Li, M. J. (2014). The effects of perceived relevance of travel blogs' content on the behavioral intention to visit a tourist destination. Computers in Human Behavior, 30, 787–799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.05.019

Cheung, C. M. K., & Thadani, D. R. (2012). The impact of electronic word-of-mouth communication: A literature analysis and integrative model. Decision Support Systems, 54(1), 461–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2012.06.008

Dedeoğlu, B. B., van Niekerk, M., Küçükergin, K. G., De Martino, M., & Okumuş, F. (2020). Effect of social media sharing on destination brand awareness and destination quality. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 26(1), 33–56. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356766719858644

Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., Carlson, J., Filieri, R., Jacobson, J., Jain, V., Karjaluoto, H., Kefi, H., Krishen, A. S., Kumar, V., Rahman, M. M., Raman, R., Rauschnabel, P. A., Rowley, J., Salo, J., Tran, G. A., & Wang, Y. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59, 102168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168

Filieri, R., & McLeay, F. (2014). E-WOM and accommodation: An analysis of the factors that influence travelers’ adoption of information from online reviews. Journal of Travel Research, 53(1), 44–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287513481274

Gretzel, U., Fesenmaier, D. R., Formica, S., & O’Leary, J. T. (2020). The transformation of consumer behaviour in tourism through information and communication technologies. Tourism Management Perspectives, 35, 100713.

Hays, S., Page, S. J., & Buhalis, D. (2013). Social media as a destination marketing tool: Its use by national tourism organisations. Current Issues in Tourism, 16(3), 211–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2012.662215

Hennig-Thurau, T., Gwinner, K. P., Walsh, G., & Gremler, D. D. (2004). Electronic word-of-mouth via consumer-opinion platforms: What motivates consumers to articulate themselves on the Internet? Journal of Interactive Marketing, 18(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/dir.10073

Ismagilova, E., Dwivedi, Y. K., Slade, E., & Williams, M. (2017). Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM) in the Marketing Context: A State of the Art Analysis and Future Directions. New York City: Springer International Publishing.

Ismagilova, E., Slade, E. L., Rana, N. P., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2020). The effect of electronic word of mouth communications on intention to buy: A meta-analysis. Information Systems Frontiers, 22(5), 1203-1226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-019-09924-y

Jalilvand, M. R., Samiei, N., Dini, B., & Manzari, P. Y. (2012). Examining the structural relationships of electronic word of mouth, destination image, tourist attitude toward destination and travel intention: An integrated approach. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 1(1–2), 134–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2012.10.001

Keller, K. L. (1993). Conceptualizing, measuring, and managing customer-based brand equity. Journal of Marketing, 57(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299305700101

Keller, K. L. (2013). Strategic Brand Management: Building, Measuring, and Managing Brand Equity (4th ed.). Pearson Education.

Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif Republik Indonesia. (2023). Strategi transformasi digital sektor pariwisata dan ekonomi kreatif Indonesia. Jakarta: Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif Republik Indonesia.

Kim, S., & Lee, Y. K. (2015). The effect of social media on destination image formation: The role of information quality and credibility. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 32(7), 1027–1041.

Kladou, S., & Kehagias, J. (2014). Assessing destination brand equity: An integrated approach. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 3(1), 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2013.11.002

Lam, T., & Hsu, C. H. C. (2006). Predicting behavioral intention of choosing a travel destination. Tourism Management, 27(4), 589–599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.02.003

Litvin, S. W., Goldsmith, R. E., & Pan, B. (2008). Electronic word-of-mouth in hospitality and tourism management. Tourism Management, 29(3), 458–468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2007.05.011

Munar, A. M., & Jacobsen, J. K. S. (2014). Motivations for sharing tourism experiences through social media. Tourism Management, 43, 46–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.01.012

Pike, S., & Page, S. J. (2014). Destination marketing organizations and destination marketing: A narrative analysis of the literature. Tourism Management, 41, 202–227.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2013.09.009

Prahalad, C. K., & Ramaswamy, V. (2004). Co-creation experiences: The next practice in value creation. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 18(3), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/dir.20015

Putri, N. E., Fahmi, M. A., Hanif, R. R., & Junid, K. A. (2025). The Era of Modernization: Digital Technology Marketing Strategies in Tourist Attraction Development. Indonesian Tourism Journal, 2(3), 175-188. https://doi.org/10.69812/itj.v2i3.177

Rihova, I., Buhalis, D., Moital, M., & Gouthro, M. B. (2015). Conceptualising customer-to-customer value co-creation in tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research, 17(4), 356–363. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1993

Rimadias, S., Alvionita, N., & Amelia, A. P. (2021). Using social media marketing to create brand awareness, brand image, and brand loyalty on tourism sector in Indonesia. The Winners, 22(2), 173–182. https://doi.org/10.21512/tw.v22i2.7597

Sigala, M., & Gretzel, U. (Eds.). (2017). Advances in social media for travel, tourism and hospitality: New perspectives, practice and cases. Routledge.

Tsai, C. T. (2016). Memorable tourist experiences and place attachment when consuming local food. International Journal of Tourism Research, 18(6), 536–548. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2070

Xiang, Z., & Gretzel, U. (2010). Role of social media in online travel information search. Tourism Management, 31(2), 179–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.02.016

Published

2026-06-29

How to Cite

Gupron, G., Mahaputra, M. R., & Yandi, A. (2026). Optimizing Digital Marketing in Strengthening Tourist Destination Marketing: A Conceptual Study in the Tourism Sector of Jambi Province. Siber International Journal of Digital Business (SIJDB), 3(4), 326–340. https://doi.org/10.38035/sijdb.v3i4.376

Most read articles by the same author(s)