Bed bugs bite the hospitality industry? A framing analysis of bed bug news coverage. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Bingjie; Pennington-Gray, Lori
• Is Part Of: Tourism management. Volume 48(2015)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Bed bug crisis -- Framing analysis -- Hospitality and travel -- Crisis communication; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2014.10.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5177

Abstract

Abstract: News coverage plays an important role in determining individuals' travel decisions and influencing the general tourism market. Bed bug infestation, as a growing crisis in the hospitality and tourism industry, has been featured in news coverage. This study conducted a framing analysis of news coverage that is pertinent to the bed bug crisis and to the hospitality and travel industry. Selected news articles, representing three different destinations, were retrieved from five national newspapers. Results showed that bed bug infestation has been framed as a typical health crisis, with aspects of consequence and seriousness featured. Findings further confirmed the hospitality and travel industry as frequently cited in the bed bug news coverage. A positive correlation existed between the mention of the hospitality and travel industry, and the use of either a thematic frame or the news frame consequence. Based on the findings, implications for tourism crisis management were discussed. Highlights: Conduct a framing analysis of news coverage that is pertinent to the bed bug crisis. Explore the role of the hospitality and travel industry in bed bug news coverage. Importance of understanding the news impact post-crisis as well as the role and function of news media in tourism crisis management.