Consumers' perceptions of risks associated with the use of Airbnb before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

PurposeAfter the COVID-19 outbreak began, travel demand dropped sharply and the potential impact of COVID-19 on sharing accommodations appears to be significant. Thus, it would be meaningful to investigate how travelers have changed their perceptions of staying at sharing accommodations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this research was to compare consumers' perceived risks of using sharing accommodations, such as Airbnb, before and during the coronavirus pandemic.Design/methodology/approachPaired sample t-tests were applied, using two surveys collected in 2017 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (peri-pandemic). The effects of stress levels from COVID-19 and previous experience with sharing lodging services on risk perception changes were also examined.FindingsConsumers showed higher social, physical, performance and convenience risk perceptions during the pandemic. Not surprisingly, those respondents who were more conscious of the pandemic in terms of concern and anxiety had higher changes in their risk perceptions. In addition, changes in risk perception differed by consumers' usage experience.Originality/valueThe results of this study add to the body of knowledge about consumers' risk perceptions of the sharing economy, particularly in connection with a huge disruption such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The changing determinants of tourists’ repurchase intention: the case of short-term rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Such a finding in the context of STRs is somewhat different than the general theoretical findings in the literature about the relationship between these two constructs (Vaughan and Daverio, 2016). The reasons explaining the significant impact after COVID-19 can be related to the changing travelling habits of consumers (Lee and Deale, 2021). Further, consumers may necessitate more openness in sharing information with an intent to build trust in the era of COVID-19 (Chesbrough, 2020).…”

Effective airbnb advertising during COVID-19 pandemic: Message format and hypothetical distance

“…Overall, consumers perceive a higher risk of staying at an Airbnb than at a hotel, due to inconsistent hygiene standards and safety measures among Airbnb hosts ( Farmaki et al, 2020 ; Lee & Deale, 2021 ). Our study explores the underlying consumer decision-making process of Airbnb advertising, based on hypothetical distance and message relevance.…”

“…Airbnb hosts have been substantially hit by a large drop in the number of bookings, and by the travel restrictions introduced under the government's coronavirus action plan ( Chen et al, 2022 ; Dolnicar & Zare, 2020 ). Although tourism has gradually revived since then, consumers’ perceptions of the risks associated with travel and Airbnb remain high amidst the outbreak of new COVID-19 variants ( Lee & Deale, 2021 ). Due to underlying concerns about infection, consumers often prefer to stay in hotels, which have well-equipped quarantine systems, rather than Airbnb accommodations, which often involve shared space (e.g.…”

“…staying with Airbnb hosts) ( Jiang & Wen, 2020 ). Lee and Deale (2021 , p. 225) argued that consumers who plan to stay at an Airbnb perceive “higher social, physical, performance and convenience risk” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, consumers’ Airbnb consumption patterns have changed during the pandemic: they now show a higher willingness to pay for social distancing features, such as renting entire properties and properties with kitchen amenities ( Hidalgo et al, 2021 ).…”

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“…This has resulted in a significant number of related infections and deaths across the globe. Besides, it has also had a huge impact on global economies, resulting in massive job losses (Chen et al, 2021;Lee & Deale, 2021). Specifically for peer to peer accommodation, Airbnb, revenues started to show a decline in summer 2020 (Roof & Carville, 2020).…”