FRAMING THE JOURNEY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRAVEL TELEVISION PRO-GRAMS IN MONGOLIA AND CHINA

Abstract This study presents a comparative analysis of travel television programs in Mongolia and China, examining their thematic content, production styles, and audience perceptions. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines content analysis of selected programs—1000 Cities I Travelled (Mongolia) and Welcome–Hello Russia (China)—with survey data collected from 491 viewers in both countries. The findings reveal that Chinese travel programs, supported by state funding and advanced technology, tend to prioritize visual appeal and national image-building, often operating under ideological constraints. In contrast, Mongolian travel programs emphasize content and editorial freedom but are limited by financial and technical resources. Audience feedback in both countries indicates a shared desire for more authentic, culturally rich, and less commercialized travel content. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on travel journalism, media representation, and cross-cultural communication by highlighting how structural, cultural, and political factors shape the production and reception of travel media in Northeast Asia.