From turbulence to recovery: tracking the cognition-sentiment-behaviour transformation among Chinese cruise industry stakeholders

Amid unprecedented challenges brought by the pandemic, understanding the evolving dynamics among key stakeholders in the cruise industry becomes vital for fostering recovery and sustainable growth. This study employs a multi-faceted analytical approach, utilising Python for data collection across multiple channels and integrating Social Network Analysis, LDA Thematic Modelling, Sentiment Analysis, and the Moving Average Method. Our findings illuminate the complex interplay between cognitive adjustments, sentiment shifts, and behavioural changes that characterise stakeholders’ responses throughout the pandemic. We unveil distinctive patterns of sentiment and behavioural adaptation among different stakeholder groups, underpinned by their specific interests and objectives. The research highlights the critical roles of government and cruise companies in spearheading the industry's revival, emphasising their influential capacity to shape positive sentiment and proactive engagement in the sector's growth. Furthermore, the study reveals the vulnerability of prospective tourists to external adverse events, impacting their perceptions and potential engagement with cruise tourism. By delving into these multifaceted dynamics, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of stakeholder-oriented strategies essential for the orderly recovery and future resilience of China's cruise industry in a post-pandemic world.