IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i11p8944-d1161902.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Social Distance with Tourists in U.S. Counties with the Highest Historical Numbers of Reported COVID-19 Cases

Author

Listed:
  • Kyle Maurice Woosnam

    (Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
    School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa)

  • Emrullah Erul

    (Department of Tourism Management, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir 35620, Turkey)

  • Zachary A. Russell

    (Recreation, Sport and Tourism Department, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • Sabrina Rahman

    (Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Chase Perren

    (Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Michael Lefavi

    (Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Camille Bennett

    (Recreation, Sport and Tourism Department, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

Abstract

With destinations steadily ‘opening back up for business’ (while COVID-19 cases are still high in many areas), there is an increasing need to consider residents. Integrating the cognitive appraisal theory and the affect theory of exchange, this work tests a structural model examining the degree to which residents’ perceptions of COVID-19 precautionary measures explain emotions directed toward visitors, and ultimately their willingness to engage in shared behaviors with tourists. Data were collected from 530 residents in 25 U.S. counties with the highest percentages of historical COVID-19 cases per population. A total of 10 of the 12 tested hypotheses were significant, contributing to 60% and 85% of the variance explained in contending and accommodating emotions, and 53% and 50% of the variance explained in engaging in less intimate–distal and more intimate–proximal behaviors with tourists. The implications highlight the complementary use of the two frameworks in explaining residents’ preference for engagement in less intimate–distal interactions with tourists.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle Maurice Woosnam & Emrullah Erul & Zachary A. Russell & Sabrina Rahman & Chase Perren & Michael Lefavi & Camille Bennett, 2023. "Social Distance with Tourists in U.S. Counties with the Highest Historical Numbers of Reported COVID-19 Cases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8944-:d:1161902
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8944/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8944/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dobis, Elizabeth A. & Krumel, Thomas P. & Cromartie, John & Conley, Kelsey L. & Sanders, Austin & Ortiz, Ruben, 2021. "Rural America at a Glance: 2021 Edition," USDA Miscellaneous 316344, United States Department of Agriculture.
    2. Xi Zhang & Juan Tang, 2021. "A Study of Emotional Solidarity in the Homestay Industry between Hosts and Tourists in the Post-Pandemic Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Jian Ming Luo & Chi Fung Lam, 2020. "Travel Anxiety, Risk Attitude and Travel Intentions towards “Travel Bubble” Destinations in Hong Kong: Effect of the Fear of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki & Gelareh Abooali & Massoomeh Hedayati Marzbali & Narimah Samat, 2021. "Vendors’ Attitudes and Perceptions towards International Tourists in the Malaysia Night Market: Does the COVID-19 Outbreak Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, February.
    5. Kock, Florian & Josiassen, Alexander & Assaf, A. George, 2019. "The xenophobic tourist," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 155-166.
    6. Danni Zheng & Brent W. Ritchie & Pierre J. Benckendorff, 2021. "Beyond cost–benefit analysis: resident emotions, appraisals and support toward tourism performing arts developments," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(5), pages 668-684, March.
    7. Guanghui Qiao & Xiao-li Zhao & Luqi Xin & Seokchool Kim, 2021. "Concerns or Desires Post-Pandemic: An Extended MGB Model for Understanding South Korean Residents’ Perceptions and Intentions to Travel to China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Joo, Dongoh & Tasci, Asli D.A. & Woosnam, Kyle M. & Maruyama, Naho U. & Hollas, Chadley R. & Aleshinloye, Kayode D., 2018. "Residents' attitude towards domestic tourists explained by contact, emotional solidarity and social distance," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 245-257.
    9. Peter J Jordan & Ashlea C Troth, 2020. "Common method bias in applied settings: The dilemma of researching in organizations," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 45(1), pages 3-14, February.
    10. Francisco José Rey-Carmona & Julia Margarita Núñez-Tabales & José Luis Durán-Román & Juan Ignacio Pulido-Fernández, 2023. "Open the doors to tourism or remain cautious: residents’ dilemma amidst a pandemic," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(5), pages 835-850, March.
    11. Sinkovics, Rudolf R. & Penz, Elfriede, 2009. "Social distance between residents and international tourists--Implications for international business," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 457-469, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Emrullah Erul & Kyle Maurice Woosnam & Tara J. Denley, 2022. "Modelling Residents’ Perspectives of Tourism Opposition in US Counties with the Highest Historical Numbers of Reported COVID-19 Cases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Yi Yong Lee & Chin Lay Gan & Tze Wei Liew, 2023. "Thwarting Instant Messaging Phishing Attacks: The Role of Self-Efficacy and the Mediating Effect of Attitude towards Online Sharing of Personal Information," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Songhong Chen & Jian Ming Luo, 2023. "Understand Delegates Risk Attitudes and Behaviour: The Moderating Effect of Trust in COVID-19 Vaccination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Heena Thanki & Sweety Shah & Harishchandra Singh Rathod & Ankit D. Oza & Dumitru Doru Burduhos-Nergis, 2022. "I Am Ready to Invest in Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) Options Only If the Returns Are Not Compromised: Individual Investors’ Intentions toward SRI," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Baboo, Shabanaz & Nunkoo, Robin & Kock, Florian, 2022. "Social media attachment: Conceptualization and formative index construction," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 437-447.
    6. Dwivedi, Abhishek & Pawsey, Nicholas, 2023. "Examining the drivers of marketing innovation in SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    7. Chaojun Li & Xinjia Huang, 2022. "How Does COVID-19 Risk Perception Affect Wellness Tourist Intention: Findings on Chinese Generation Z," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    8. Marie Kris Giango & Rodel Hintapan & Michael Suson & Ivy Batican & Looverville Quiño & Ludimie Capuyan & Jose Marie Anoos & Jannen Batoon & Joerabell Lourdes Aro & Fatima Maturan & Kafferine Yamagishi, 2022. "Local Support on Sports Tourism Development: An Integration of Emotional Solidarity and Social Exchange Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-26, October.
    9. Fatemeh Maleki & Seyed Mohsen Hosseini, 2020. "Charity donation intention via m-payment apps: donor-related, m-payment system-related, or charity brand-related factors, which one is overkill?," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 17(4), pages 409-443, December.
    10. Wendt, Jody S. & Briggeman, Brian C. & Bergtold, Jason S. & Shanoyan, Aleksan & Low, Sarah A., 2022. "A Skills Gap Analysis in Farmer Directors of Midwest Agricultural Cooperatives," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322270, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    11. Dedeoglu, Bekir Bora & Boğan, Erhan & Kucukergin, Kemal Gurkan & Birinci, Muhammet Cenk, 2023. "Are tourists afraid of the unknown? Examining the role of travel constraints and tourist xenophobia with symmetric and asymmetric perspectives," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    12. Sohel M. Imroz & Tamilla Curtis & Scott C. Ambrose, 2023. "Perception of Crisis Management, Service Quality, and Loyalty Programs on Airline Travel Intention: What Roles Do Fear of COVID-19 and Risk Attitude Play?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    13. Joon-ho Kim & Seung-hye Jung & Bong-ihn Seok & Hyun-ju Choi, 2022. "The Relationship among Four Lifestyles of Workers amid the COVID-19 Pandemic (Work–Life Balance, YOLO, Minimal Life, and Staycation) and Organizational Effectiveness: With a Focus on Four Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-31, October.
    14. Kevin Baird & Sophia Su & Rahat Munir, 2023. "The mediating role of levers of controls on the association between sustainable leadership and organisational resilience," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 167-200, June.
    15. Dirk De Clercq & Eugene Kaciak & Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl, 2023. "Full circle support: unpacking the relationship between women entrepreneurs’ family-to-work support and work interference with family," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 343-367, March.
    16. Ellis, Paul D., 2010. "International trade intermediaries and the transfer of marketing knowledge in transition economies," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 16-33, February.
    17. Kevin Baird & Vicki Baard, 2021. "Management controls and team effectiveness: the mediating role of team structural empowerment," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 517-558, December.
    18. Havlíková Michaela & Plíšková Lenka & Stupková Lucie Crespo, 2019. "Evaluation of sustainable tourism potential of the principle Giant Mountains resorts in the Czech Republic," Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, Sciendo, vol. 7(4), pages 26-35, December.
    19. Joo, Dongoh & Tasci, Asli D.A. & Woosnam, Kyle M. & Maruyama, Naho U. & Hollas, Chadley R. & Aleshinloye, Kayode D., 2018. "Residents' attitude towards domestic tourists explained by contact, emotional solidarity and social distance," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 245-257.
    20. Edwina Oheneasi Essel & Wang Min & Charles Hackman Essel & Koffi Dumor, 2020. "Unemployment Blues: Analysis of the Dual Mediating Effects of Knowledge and Perception on Entrepreneurial Intentions in the Environment," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8944-:d:1161902. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.