ABSTRACT
Health information technology has been widely implemented to ensure travel safety in the current normalization stage of COVID-19. However, levels of public trust and acceptance toward health QR codes are low in many countries, impeding tourism recovery after the outbreak. Thus, this study aims to explore the psychological mechanisms underpinning tourist trust, confidence, and behaviors toward traveling with health QR codes. Using a quota sampling, 1089 respondents were collected across mainland China. Results identify that tourists' trust in health QR codes is affected by knowledge, perceived efficacy, privacy risk, and security. People's trust in digital health applications can boost travel confidence and increase acceptance of tracing technology and travel intention after the pandemic. Practical implications for developing policies and strategies to encourage travel are provided.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: This paper aims to establish and empirically test a theoretical framework to explain the impacts of health quick response (QR) technology trust and acceptance on responsible pandemic travel. Design/methodology/approach: The study integrates trust, confidence and cooperation theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM) to address the research aim. Adopting a quota sampling approach, a national online survey of 1,089 respondents was conducted across mainland China. Structural equation modelling is applied to evaluate the proposed hypotheses. Findings: Results indicate that health QR code technology trust can improve travel confidence and mitigate travel fear, which influences travel intention and social distancing practices among tourists. However, tourists' acceptance of health QR codes encourages social distancing behaviours rather than travel intentions. Research limitations/implications: The study illustrates the role of health information technology in improving tourist confidence and responsible travel behaviours in a pandemic context. Furthermore, the research supports and adds to the TAM by investigating the relationships between acceptance of health-related technology and pandemic travel behaviour. Practical implications: This research helps the local government and tourism managers to evaluate the effectiveness of health QR codes in pandemic travel in China. Strategies for improving tourists' trust, technology adoption and responsible behaviours are provided. Originality/value: This study differs from existing literature by investigating the innovative technology (i.e., health QR codes) in pandemic travel. Given the prevalence of health QR codes after the COVID-19 outbreak, it fills a knowledge gap and provides advice to improve pandemic travel safety. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.
ABSTRACT
Health information technology has been widely implemented to ensure travel safety in the current normalization stage of COVID-19. However, levels of public trust and acceptance toward health QR codes are low in many countries, impeding tourism recovery after the outbreak. Thus, this study aims to explore the psychological mechanisms underpinning tourist trust, confidence, and behaviors toward traveling with health QR codes. Using a quota sampling, 1089 respondents were collected across mainland China. Results identify that tourists’ trust in health QR codes is affected by knowledge, perceived efficacy, privacy risk, and security. People’s trust in digital health applications can boost travel confidence and increase acceptance of tracing technology and travel intention after the pandemic. Practical implications for developing policies and strategies to encourage travel are provided. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.