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Regional Travel as an Alternative Form of Tourism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts of a Low-Risk Perception and Perceived Benefits

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Wang

    (Faculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China)

  • Ivan Ka Wai Lai

    (Faculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China)

  • Quan Zhou

    (Faculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China)

  • Yu He Pang

    (Faculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China)

Abstract

Previous COVID-19 tourism research has not considered the positive impact of a low-risk perception and a perception of the benefits of regional travel on taking alternative tourism. This study attempts to fill the research gap and examine the positive effect of these perceptions on tourists’ attitudes to regional travel and intentions to undertake regional travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of 278 respondents confirmed that the perceived benefit positively influences tourists’ attitudes and travel intentions, but that a low-risk perception only positively affects their attitudes. This study contributes to tourism risk management research by introducing the concept of a low-risk perception as a positive factor. For tourism recovery, it finds that relaxation, value, and convenience are benefits to drive people to travel.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Wang & Ivan Ka Wai Lai & Quan Zhou & Yu He Pang, 2021. "Regional Travel as an Alternative Form of Tourism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts of a Low-Risk Perception and Perceived Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9422-:d:630263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Jian Yang & Jian Ming Luo & Rui Yao, 2022. "How Fear of COVID-19 Affects the Behavioral Intention of Festival Participants—A Case of the HANFU Festival," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Zbucki Łukasz, 2022. "Variability of mobile phone network logins in the Białowieża National Park during the 2019 and 2020 summer holiday periods in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic," Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development, Sciendo, vol. 26(4), pages 169-177, October.

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