Effects of socio-demographics, sense of control, and uncertainty avoidability on post-COVID-19 vacation intention

Abstract

Tourism industry is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the global spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, due to the novelty of the phenomenon, there is a shortage of studies exploring the effects of the pandemic on tourists' reactions and, to date, no study has examined how certain individual differences might impact vacation intention after COVID-19. To contribute to this area of inquiry, this research focuses on a series of socio-demographic variablesi.e. age, gender, education, income, health status, and number of childrento investigate their influence on individuals' sense of control, ability to avoid the uncertainty derived from the current health crisis, and vacation intention. The research predicts a chain of relationships whereby the socio-demographic variables influence individuals' sense of control, which is positively associated with their perceived ability to avoid uncertainty. This perception, in turn, is positively related to vacation intention. A survey study conducted in Italy shows that older respondents and those in poorer health conditions feel less in control and able to avoid the situational uncertainty related to the pandemic; this feeling, in turn, decreases their intention to take a vacation as soon as the pandemic is over. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

A bibliometric review of research on COVID-19 and tourism: Reflections for moving forward

“…Tourists are likely to travel by private transportation and with their families as well as choose destinations with reliable safety systems ( Ivanova, Ivanov, & Ivanov, 2020 ). As COVID-19 enhances travel fears and risks, most of the studies focus on the impact of the former on tourists' behavior ( Bae & Chang, 2021 ; Neuburger & Egger, 2020 ; Peluso & Pichierri, 2020 ). For instance, travelers may find it risky to travel on a cruise, for an event, or to other ‘overcrowded’ places/destinations.…”

“…In addition, the perceived risks and anxiety imposed by the pandemic have introduced new factors influencing tourist decision-making and recalibrated the tourists' priorities. Although research offers some preliminary findings and suggestions about the new ways and factors that the tourists consider when taking travel decisions ( Ahmad et al, 2020 ; Peluso & Pichierri, 2020 ), more in-depth research at micro-level is required to elaborate on the nature and impact of these changes on the tourists' decision-making ( Adongo, Amenumey, Kumi-Kyereme, & Dubé, 2021 ; Li, Zhang, Liu, Kozak, & Wen, 2020 ). Existing studies mainly adopt a risk-based perspective to investigate travel decision making and ignore the influence of factors like sustainability, well-being, purpose and transformation on travel decisions, behavior and preferences despite the fact that all these factors are acclaimed as the next new normal for tourism in the post COVID-19 era.…”

Uncovering knowledge on travel behaviour during COVID-19: a convergent parallel mixed-methods study in the context of Italy

“…(Rittichainuwat & Chakraborty, 2009) and our findings further corroborate this idea. Indeed, this research has highlighted that elderly tourists perceive higher levels of risk and have less inclination to travel in comparison to youngsters (Peluso & Pichierri, 2020), while also confirming that women have a higher perception of risks in comparison to men (Neuburger & Egger, 2020). This latter point could be attributed to the fact that women, especially in western societies, are often responsible for decision-making on behalf of their families and children (Khoo-Lattimore et al, 2018;Rojas-de-Gracia, Alarcon-Urbistondo and Casado-Molina, 2019).…”

“…In addition to the aforementioned factors, recent research has also investigated the link between some socio-demographic variables and tourists’ risk perceptions, as well as their future travel intentions. For instance, older tourists were shown to have a higher risk perception and less of an intention to travel than younger tourists (Peluso & Pichierri, 2020 ). Similarly, women also appeared to have a higher perception of risk (Neuburger & Egger, 2020 ).…”

Many happy returns: Preliminary study on retrospective and prospective experiences of enchantment

“…Our findings imply, however, that businesses must develop solutions to overcome "COVID" and "Finances" as the major barriers to consumers' future pursuits of enchantment. Other researchers have similarly documented "fear and uncertainty" with the pandemic as prime constraints to future spending in hospitality (Lamb et al, 2020;Peluso and Pichierri, 2020;Wilson and Chen, 2020).…”