Gaze on wheels: Dynamic perception and configurational analysis of destination image based on tourist-generated photos

Cycling tourism exposes tourists to continuous visual variation as they move through a destination, yet how this variation shapes destination image remains underexplored. Drawing on time-ordered tourist-generated photos, this study examines how visual variation shapes cycling tourists’ dynamic perception of destination image and identifies the configurational pathways through which affective image is formed. The results show that cycling tourists construct a cognitive–affective image centered on urban and mobility-related environments rather than distinctive tourism resources. Their dynamic perception follows a hierarchical structure dominated by a small number of visually prominent categories, with cognitive variation more pronounced than emotional variation throughout the journey. Configurational analysis further reveals that high element diversity combined with low scene volatility fosters positive emotions, whereas low diversity or excessive volatility generates negative affect. These findings offer practical guidance for cycling route planning, visual environment design, and destination image communication.