Developing a Conceptual Model for the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Changing Tourism Risk Perception

Abstract

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has tremendously reshaped the tourism industry and destinations worldwide. Tourism destinations and the travel market require empirical research to support their post-pandemic strategies, especially in relation to the influences of changing perceptions of tourism risks, experience, and behavioural intention. This paper aims to propose a conceptual model and its hypotheses of the perceived tourism risks of natural and man-made disasters to explain the associations between the expected travel experience and ultimate travel behaviour. This paper provides a foundation for further empirical study based on a literature review and discussion. Several areas of theoretical development are identified for immediate research: (1) comparison of self-interpretation and understanding of multi-dimensional tourism risks of natural and man-made complexity in epidemics across a great variety of geographical and geo-political territories; (2) a complex web of influence to changing safety concerns and risk perception by information dissemination; (3) the effect of destination selection or hesitation in travel intention caused by changing destination image; and (4) local perception of the epidemic and health crisis. Destination authorities are recommended to (1) strengthen the preparedness and emergency responses of an effective disaster management process, (2) maintain the emotional solidarity of both tourists and local residents, and (3) mitigate multiple dimensions of the perceived risks, mainly associated with the health and psychological risks of those affected.

Facilitators and Reducers of Korean Travelers’ Avoidance/Hesitation Behaviors toward China in the Case of COVID-19

“…Second, this research centers on the role of risk perception in eliciting emotional and behavioral responses among international travelers. Yet, according to recent destination studies in tourism, many crucial factors influence such affective and behavioral processes (e.g., satisfaction, image, destination performance, attributes, trust, value, travel experience) [ 1 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Future research should expand the proposed theoretical framework to better account for the total variance of avoidance/hesitation behavior.…”

“…The impact of a coronavirus diseases 19 (COVID-19) on the entire world is substantial [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The pathogenic influence of COVID-19 has been drastically increased since China reported the first confirmed case in late 2019 [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Moreover, ever since the detection of the COVID-19, this disease has considerably affected human mobility [ 7 ]. COVID-19 had a huge adverse effect on the tourism sector [ 1 , 8 ]. Particularly, the international tourism industry has been massively reduced due to border closing, lockdowns, and bans on traveling [ 3 , 5 ].…”

“…In China, there have been 3283 confirmed cases of COVID-19 [ 10 ]. Most overseas travelers have inevitably restrained themselves from visiting international tourism destinations until the pandemic is entirely under control [ 1 , 8 ]. COVID-19 has also blocked international tourists’ visit to China.…”

Analyzing COVID-19 Post-Pandemic Recovery Process in Azores Archipelago

“…Theoretical Literature Review: The possible impacts of devastating happenings on hospitality and tourism have increased in both extent and rate of recurrence due to increasing rate in the hyper-mobility of tourism industry and reciprocally connected situation of the worldwide economy (42). In the context of COVID-19, the increasingly disaster-prone world and specifically, the tourism planners have to design and implement a comprehensive framework for understanding and employing disaster management strategies for a proper post-pandemic period (43).…”