The intention to go on holiday during a pandemic – a theoretical study

The aim of the paper is a theoretical analysis and definition of the term intention to travel, as well as systematization of knowledge in current scientific work concerning the intention to travel for a holiday stay during a pandemic. Factors and variables that are related to decision-making and the intention to travel are summarized. The influence of the perceived risk on the intention to travel abroad amid a pandemic is described. Analysis of studies on holiday travel during a pandemic shows that the intention to carry out a holiday stay is influenced by the geographical aspect of the stay, the time aspect of its realization, hygiene measures and health care at the place of stay. As for the factors of intention not to travel, the article draws attention to the need to know them and presents a proposal for a solution from the point of view of consumers and tourism businesses. In the current situation amid the pandemic, understanding and knowing the clients’ intentions to travel and their actual travel behaviour is very important for any tourism business and destination. Intention (tendency, notion) as a direction of action and behaviour of a person is an important factor for his actual activity. At the same time, travel intention may not always become real travel behaviour. Based on the analysis of the intention to travel on holiday during the pandemic, several studies show that the intention to carry out a holiday stay is influenced by the geographical aspect of the stay, the time aspect of its implementation, hygiene measures and health care at the place of stay. And it is also necessary to take into account the factors of the intention not to travel and to adapt to this fact the knowledge of the situation on the part of consumers and tourism companies. On the part of consumers, a change in income may result in a consumption restructuring and the search for new alternatives in the field of leisure and travel, on the part of tourism companies it will be necessary to find solutions in terms of changing the portfolio of services and their prices. However, it is very likely that the passion to travel and its impact on the intention to travel will outweigh the worries about traveling and the intention not to travel.