Rio de Janeiro's image as the 2016 Olympic Games host city: analysis of the main image formation factors

Purpose - This paper aimed to verify the most important factors (cognitive and affective dimensions) perceived in Rio de Janeiro's image as the host city of the 2016 Olympic Games and to identify the factors that predict better the overall city image and its affective image dimension in this particular context of a sports mega-event. Design/methodology/approach - This paper employs exploratory factor analysis to define intervening factors in each dimension of Rio de Janeiro's image. By parting from the initial diagnostic analysis, multiple regression analysis was applied to measure how the intervening factors predicted the overall image of the host city, as well as to whether its cognitive dimension was able to predict the affective dimension. Data collection was conducted by applying structured questionnaires with a sample of international respondents (n = 274). Findings - Rio's image as a sports mega-event host city presented two intervening factors for each dimension. For image composition, the most important cognitive factor diagnosed was "Services and Attractions." For the affective dimension, the most important factor diagnosed was "Positive Feelings." The investigation concluded that the cognitive dimension was capable of predicting the affective dimension, as "Positive Feelings" was the factor that better predicted Rio's overall image as the host city of the 2016 Olympic Games, while the "Services and Attractions" factor was not significant in predicting the host city's image. Research limitations/implications - The main focus of the investigation was the host city's international image as presented by primary sources. The sample for investigation was therefore composed exclusively of foreign students, nonresidents in Brazil, who did not participate in said events. Although this approach provides a partial diagnostic of the host cityvs image, for an overall and accurate image diagnostic it is also relevant to investigate the national residents' point of view, which is beyond the scope of this investigation. Practical implications - The findings suggest that destination marketers would obtain better results investing in the affective dimension, employing actions that stimulate positive feelings about the host city, especially when relating to sports mega-event. Investment in general infrastructure is also presented as a relevant factor. Social implications - The host city's image can guide policies to improve local capacity to attract investments and new events that contribute to change in urban areas, as well as to reinforce positive aspects of that image. Investment in general infrastructure, again, is presented as a crucial issue. Originality/value - The value and originality of the presented investigation lie in a lack of specific studies on Rio's image as a travel destination, despite its being the most important touristic city in Brazil and the host for the 2016 Olympic Games. A separate analysis of individual image dimensions and the examination of intervening cognitive factors in the affective dimension are also not common in a sports mega-event context.