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Destination image is related to comprising cognitive, emotional, and conative components and includes an individual's thoughts, ideas, and perceptions of a place. Images consistently coincide with the internalisation of distinct perspectives, demonstrating that people have different perceptions of the destiny. Influences include media, authority figures, music, and movies. Although the experience may not match their initial expectations, these effects form their preconceived beliefs and expectations of a trip. Accordingly, it is important to explore the trustfulness of the positioning of tourist destinations to ascertain its alignment with the expectations of tourists. Given that, Lisbon has been regarded as one of the foremost European cities in recent years, owing to its high level of accessibility and its multifaceted sensory attributes, it was deemed pertinent to investigate the perceptions of the visitors towards the city. The present study used a mixed methods approach, incorporating a multimedia component that showcases various locations in the Lisbon region with open-ended questionnaires to gather the perspectives of the tourists and a closed-ended questionnaire that inquiries about the primary factors that attract visitors to Lisbon. This analysis employed graphical representations, including word clouds and graphics to explore the identified impressions. The research revealed a robust association between cultural, historical, and aesthetic variables and the choice of travel destination. Certain visual representations highlight the imperative of pursuing sustainable and responsible development to mitigate the potential for enduring degradation. This holds significance as certain images are linked to instances of environmental and social irresponsibility. The study also revealed that History and Heritage emerged as the most significant factors that attract individuals, followed by Cultural Attractions, Weather and Climate, Gastronomy, and Panoramic Views and Landscapes. A notable perception exists regarding the insufficiency of sustainability and eco-friendly practices, underscoring the necessity for targeted sustainability endeavours to promote responsible and sustainable development of tourism destinations. Indeed, additional research on the contrast of perception and reality at the location is needed to evaluate the picture provided to visitors. However, understanding tourist-relevant areas like Lisbon is a good foundation for advertising them, allowing various stakeholders to make authentic and valuable marketing decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pull factors, the attributes of a specific location, matter in tourism. These factors encompass the distinctive characteristics and alluring features that attract tourists to a destination, their importance and performance influencing the decision-making process and overall experience. A clear comprehension of this concept is crucial for destinations' economic vitality as they compete for tourists and strive for economic expansion and employment prospects. Indeed, an in-depth knowledge of these factors' importance and performance underscores the need for regions to adjust their approach to evolving tourist preferences. This adaptation is crucial to fostering responsible and sustainable tourism practices that safeguard cultural and natural resources. However, besides learning about the factors considered critical by tourists to visit a location, it is paramount to analyse how they evaluate the performance of each of these factors while staying there. This study focuses on the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), Portugal, and the findings will provide essential insights into destination competitiveness, sustainable tourism development, and the creation of unique travel experiences. As a destination that gained popularity, attracting tourists from all over the world, it is necessary to comprehend the specific factors that contribute to this vibrant region's allure and how it performs regarding them. The research will use the Importance-Performance Analysis to make data interpretation accessible and suggest relevant measures to improve competitiveness based on optimising the allocation of resources among the various factors/attributes analysed. The research incorporates numerous criteria categories, including historical significance, urban appeal, natural scenery, culinary experiences, cultural heritage, and aspects like streets' cleanliness, transport availability, or health emergency infrastructures. The study's conclusions will impact Lisbon region's (LMA) tourism and destination management. By understanding what factors are more important for tourists that visit the area and their evaluation of the performance of each of these factors, stakeholders can improve marketing, infrastructure, and the visitors' experience to promote sustainable development and maintain Lisbon's standing as a top tourist destination for rewarding and enlightening experiences. Relevant data is also provided to inform future tourism initiatives. This study adds to the academic discussion of location competitiveness and unique travel experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]