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Impacts of COVID-19 on tourists' destination preferences: Evidence from China

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  • Li, Xun
  • Gong, Jian
  • Gao, Baojun
  • Yuan, Peiwen

Abstract

Using data of online ticket sales for attractions in the seven provinces of South Central China, this study focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on tourists' destination preferences after the end of lockdown. Empirical results reveal that tourists' destination preferences have changed significantly, which holds under a number of robustness checks. Specifically, we find that tourists avoid traveling to destinations with more confirmed cases of COVID-19 relative to their places of origin, especially Hubei Province, and prefer destinations close to home, especially local attractions. The empirical findings have significant implications for managers and policymakers in tourism and we provide potential mechanisms for these findings based on signaling, risk perception, and prospect theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Xun & Gong, Jian & Gao, Baojun & Yuan, Peiwen, 2021. "Impacts of COVID-19 on tourists' destination preferences: Evidence from China," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:90:y:2021:i:c:s0160738321001365
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2021.103258
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    9. Xiaohui Xu, 2022. "The Impacts of COVID-19 on the Rank-Size Distribution of Regional Tourism Central Places: A Case of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-21, September.
    10. Pilar Jiménez-Medina & José Miguel Navarro-Azorín & Clara Cubillas-Para & Andrés Artal-Tur, 2022. "What Safety and Security Measures Really Matter in the Post-COVID Recovery of the Hospitality Industry? An Analysis of the Visitor’s Intention to Return in Spain," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-12, July.
    11. Afonso Victor & Calisto Maria de Lurdes, 2023. "Covid-19 and the Portuguese accommodation sector," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 49-55, December.
    12. Rehab El Gamil, 2022. "Exploring Travel Behaviour Post-COVID-19: Towards a More Responsible Tourism," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 15(2), pages 203-216.
    13. Sunny Sun & Lina Zhong & Rob Law & Xiaoya Zhang & Liyu Yang & Meiling Li, 2022. "A Proposed DISE Approach for Tourist Destination Crisis Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-16, September.
    14. Xi Wu & Adam Blake, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Air Travel Demand: Some Evidence From China," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, January.
    15. Yuzong Zhao & Hui Wang & Zhen Guo & Mingli Huang & Yongtao Pan & Yongrui Guo, 2022. "Online Reservation Intention of Tourist Attractions in the COVID-19 Context: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    16. Yuyao Feng & Guowen Li & Xiaolei Sun & Jianping Li, 2022. "Identification of tourists’ dynamic risk perception—the situation in Tibet," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.
    17. Poretti, Cédric & Heo, Cindy Yoonjoung, 2022. "COVID-19 and firm value drivers in the tourism industry," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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