The Impact of Perceptions of Positive COVID-19 Information on Travel Motivation and Intention: Evidence From Chinese University Students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the tourism industry in various ways, including tourists’ travel motivations and intentions. Unlike previous studies that have focused on the dark side of the pandemic, this study adds the dimension of perceptions of positive information on COVID-19 to the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore their influence on travel motivation and intention. A total of 470 valid questionnaires were collected from a sample of Chinese university students. The results showed that the students’ perceptions of positive COVID-19 information positively impacted their travel intentions through the variables of perceived behavioral control, travel attitudes, and travel motivations. Perceived behavioral control was the mediating variable that most explained the impact of perceptions of positive COVID-19 information on travel motivation and intention. This study contributes to the understanding of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism and of university students’ travel motivations and intentions. It also offers implications for the tourism industry to formulate relevant recovery strategies during and after the pandemic.

After the pandemic subsides: The impact of motivation for vaccination and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination certificate toward tourists’ travel intention

“…The first hypothesis is accepted, indicating that motivation for vaccination significantly influences the attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination certificates, with a CR score of 5.966. This aligns with research findings in studies conducted by Happ et al [17] , Dodd et al [18] , Li et al [19] , and Hsu et al [20] . The substantial impact of motivation to vaccination on attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination certificates can attach several interconnected factors.…”

“…Li et al [19] explored the influence of positive information on COVID-19 on travel motivations and intentions among Chinese university students. Although focused on travel, the study highlighted the impact of perceptions on motivation, attitudes, and intentions, providing a framework for understanding the interplay of these factors.…”

Characteristics of business, pleasure, and VFR segments who travel during risky times

“…Although the power of these variables was not as strong as expected in all three travel groups, the findings contribute to our understanding of the potential tourism industry recovery during and after the pandemic. While several studies have concentrated on the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel motivation and intention (Li et al , 2022), our study looks at the optimistic aspects of recovery through some positive aspects of personality and well-being.…”