RESUMEN
Person-environment fit theory (PE-fit) theory emphasises a match between a person's attribute (P) and the workplace environment (E). However, a differential predictions hypothesis emphasises the different contributions of personal and environmental inputs to outcomes. Higher education students in Hong Kong (N = 380) completed a survey on their personal interest (P) and the contemporary threatening environment (E) (fear of pandemic, social unrest, international disputes) related to tourism-related outcomes (intent to join tourism, lifelong commitment, leadership, and anxiety) during COVID-19. Structural equation modelling found that P strongly predicted Intent, Lifelong, and Leadership, whereas E strongly predicted Anxiety, supporting the differential predictions hypothesis. PE-fit (P × positive E) predicted Intent in addition to the prediction of P, supporting the PE-fit hypothesis. The findings imply the different merits of PE-fit and differential predictions hypotheses for various vocational outcomes, and the importance of reinforcing students' interest to launch their career in challenging times. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.