Resident reactions to a pandemic: the impact on community-based tourism from social representation perspective

ABSTRACT

As COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, it has caused unprecedented disruption to community-based tourism (CBT). The purpose of this study is to identify local reactions to COVID-19 in CBT destinations using social representation theory (SRT) as a framework for analysis. Furthermore, this paper uses Q methodology to shed light on residents' reactions to COVID-19. A demonstration of this method is used to analyze a Q set of 36 statements and a P set of 30 respondents working in the CBT business in Seochon Village, Seoul, Korea from 10 May to 21 May in 2021. As a result of the analysis, three distinct clusters are identified fear of stigmatization as a plague spreader, maladaptation to environmental change, and threats to livelihoods. Based on the findings, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed to aid the local community to build a more sustainable and safer CBT during and after the pandemic.