PERSUASIVE FUNCTION OF TOURISM DISCOURSE ON THE EXAMPLE OF ‘VISIT ALMATY’ WEBSITE

Abstract

The increasing number of tourism-related websites has captured the interest of both linguists and communication professionals, motivating them to examine the persuasive functions embedded in the digital content designed to appeal to a global audience. These websites, operating within a corporate framework, have undergone a noticeable transformation in how they present promotional materials, increasingly relying on strategic, persuasive communication to influence potential tourists. In this context, the official tourism website serves not merely as an informational platform but as a tool of digital persuasion. The article focuses on exploring various persuasive approaches, strategies, and rhetorical tactics employed in online tourism discourse, using the "Visit Almaty" website. Through this analysis, the research aims to reveal how tourism promotion has evolved in its use of language and design to construct a compelling narrative that aligns with both corporate identity and local cultural values. Moreover, the study investigates the structure and layout of the website, analyzing how design elements and content organization contribute to effective information dissemination and brand portrayal. It highlights how the selection of words, images, and multimedia elements does more than promote a travel destination—they serve as cultural signifiers that encapsulate the city’s unique social, historical, and cultural character. As such, these components provide rich ground for linguistic and communicative analysis. The results of the research show the importance of using persuasive function in tourism Internet discourse to attract the readers and visitors. The article’s theoretical significance lies in its contribution to digital communication research, especially in tourism discourse, by revealing how language and design shape persuasive narratives. Its practical value is in guiding tourism marketing and web design through effective strategies that attract and engage audiences.