COVID-19 risk perception and tourist satisfaction: A mixed-method study of the roles of destination image and self-protection behavior.

This study aimed to examine the effects of COVID-19 risk perception on negative destination image and self-protection behavior, and the resultant effects on tourist satisfaction. Hence, this study applied a continuous interpretive mixed-method design combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. A quantitative survey (n = 486) in the cities of Ningbo, Huangshan, and Chengdu, China, and 19 qualitative interviews were conducted online. The results of the quantitative study show that: (1) Risk perception and negative destination image are antecedent variables influencing tourist satisfaction, and (2) there are significant positive correlations between risk perception and negative destination image, risk perception and tourist self-protection behavior, and negative destination image and tourist self-protection behavior. Moreover, (3) negative destination image had a partial mediating effect between risk perception and satisfaction. Furthermore, to supplement the research data and expand the quantitative findings, this study further examined whether the above variables are related to tourist satisfaction, through in-depth interviews with tourists. The findings showed that COVID-19 risk perception, negative destination image, and self-protection behavior all affect tourist satisfaction. The findings provide valuable crisis management suggestions for the government and should contribute to the efforts of tourist destinations to build a healthy and safe image, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of tourism industries in the post-epidemic era.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenues of visitor attractions: An exploratory and preliminary study in China

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a detrimental impact on various tourism subsectors. The financial consequences of this impact should be carefully evaluated to set benchmarks for industry recovery. This study assessed the financial impact of the pandemic on the tourism subsector of visitor attractions in China;4222 A-grade visitor attractions accounting for over one-third of the national market were surveyed. Data triangulation was subsequently applied to undertake a comprehensive assessment of potential revenue loss. Triangulation was based upon the (1) lost revenue estimates made by tourist attractions? administrations, (2) reverse estimation of past macroeconomic data, and (3) expert opinion estimates. The assessment results demonstrated that A-grade visitor attractions in China may have lost up to 140 billion RMB (circa US$21 billion) due to COVID-19, with up to 65% of all losses incurred in the first quarter of 2020. The scale of revenue loss varied significantly depending on visitor attraction?s grade, type, and location. Potential strategies for industry recovery are discussed.