IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i11p6399-d568806.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourist Risk Perceptions—The Case Study of Porto

Author

Listed:
  • Hélder da Silva Lopes

    (Lab2PT—Landscape, Heritage and Territory Laboratory, Department of Geography, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    IdRA—Climatology Group, Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, 08001 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Paula C. Remoaldo

    (Lab2PT—Landscape, Heritage and Territory Laboratory, Department of Geography, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Vitor Ribeiro

    (Lab2PT—Landscape, Heritage and Territory Laboratory, Department of Geography, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    Department of Teacher Training, ESE de Paula Frassinetti, 4000-225 Porto, Portugal)

  • Javier Martín-Vide

    (IdRA—Climatology Group, Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, 08001 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak (in early 2020) has dictated significant changes in society and territories by anticipating trends, changing priorities, and creating challenges, which are manifested in the territories. These are influenced by the levels of economic, cultural, and social restructuring, in the measures implemented by public administration or in attempts to redefine strategies for tourism destinations. This paper examines the perceptions and behaviors of tourists before and during COVID-19 in the municipality of Porto, the main area of the Porto Metropolitan Area, in Portugal. Research was based on the application of a questionnaire survey, probing the sensitivity of tourists to the crisis in the decision-making of daily routines, as well as future travel plans in the presence of a serious health concern. A total of 417 surveys were collected in the summers of 2019 and 2020. In addition to descriptive statistics, this paper also includes the results of the analysis of explanatory factors, being a reference for future studies. There were significant changes in the use of public space and the way tourist visits are handled, namely: (i) the concentration of visiting time (shorter visit than usual in certain tourist profiles); (ii) spatially limited visiting areas; and (iii) the ability to attract standard tourists from certain countries where tighter lockdown rules were imposed. Main implications of this study are reflected in the challenges that are imposed on the local agenda, where traditional problems are added to the responsibilities in crisis management and the ability to establish a third order of intervention in tourism.

Suggested Citation

  • Hélder da Silva Lopes & Paula C. Remoaldo & Vitor Ribeiro & Javier Martín-Vide, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourist Risk Perceptions—The Case Study of Porto," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6399-:d:568806
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6399/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/11/6399/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Editorial, 2020. "Covid-19 and Climate Change," Journal, Review of Agrarian Studies, vol. 10(1), pages 5-6, January-J.
    2. Cecilia Pasquinelli & Mariapina Trunfio & Nicola Bellini & Simona Rossi, 2021. "Sustainability in Overtouristified Cities? A Social Media Insight into Italian Branding Responses to Covid-19 Crisis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Beata Hysa & Aneta Karasek & Iwona Zdonek, 2021. "Social Media Usage by Different Generations as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism Marketing in Society 5.0 Idea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-27, January.
    4. Maja Turnšek & Mitja Gorenak & Boštjan Brumen & Janez Mekinc & Marjetka Rangus & Tanja Lešnik Štuhec, 2020. "Perceived Threat of COVID-19 and Future Travel Avoidance: Results from an Early Convenient Sample in Slovenia," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 13(1), pages 3-19.
    5. Fernando Almeida-García & Rafael Cortés-Macías & Krzysztof Parzych, 2021. "Tourism Impacts, Tourism-Phobia and Gentrification in Historic Centers: The Cases of Málaga (Spain) and Gdansk (Poland)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-25, January.
    6. Borkowski, Przemysław & Jażdżewska-Gutta, Magdalena & Szmelter-Jarosz, Agnieszka, 2021. "Lockdowned: Everyday mobility changes in response to COVID-19," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    7. Chew, Elaine Yin Teng & Jahari, Siti Aqilah, 2014. "Destination image as a mediator between perceived risks and revisit intention: A case of post-disaster Japan," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 382-393.
    8. Inês Gusman & Pedro Chamusca & José Fernandes & Jorge Pinto, 2019. "Culture and Tourism in Porto City Centre: Conflicts and (Im)Possible Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    9. Maja Turnšek & Mitja Gorenak & Boštjan Brumen & Janez Mekinc & Marjetka Rangus & Tanja Lešnik Štuhec, 2020. "Perceived Threat of COVID-19 and Future Travel Avoidance: Results from an Early Convenient Sample in Slovenia," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 13(1), pages 3-19.
    10. Gualter Couto & Rui Alexandre Castanho & Pedro Pimentel & Célia Carvalho & Áurea Sousa & Carlos Santos, 2020. "The Impacts of COVID-19 Crisis over the Tourism Expectations of the Azores Archipelago Residents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-14, September.
    11. Ulrika Persson-Fischer & Shuangqi Liu, 2021. "The Impact of a Global Crisis on Areas and Topics of Tourism Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-26, January.
    12. Nathan D. Wolfe & Claire Panosian Dunavan & Jared Diamond, 2007. "Origins of major human infectious diseases," Nature, Nature, vol. 447(7142), pages 279-283, May.
    13. Wang, Jie & Liu-Lastres, Bingjie & Ritchie, Brent W. & Mills, Deborah J., 2019. "Travellers' self-protections against health risks: An application of the full Protection Motivation Theory," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-1.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Panagiotis Mantas & Zafeiria-Marina Ioannou & Emmanouil Viennas & George Pavlidis & Evangelos Sakkopoulos, 2021. "Digital Gifts and Tourism Mementos: A Sustainable Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Sergej Gricar & Tea Baldigara & Violeta Šugar, 2021. "Sustainable Determinants That Affect Tourist Arrival Forecasting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Michał Roman & Katarzyna Bury, 2022. "The Tourist Attractiveness of Tokyo in the Opinion of Surveyed Tourists," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-26, February.
    4. NaHyun Lee & Bong-Seok Kim, 2023. "Differences of Host Country-Destination Image Assessment for International Students According to Risk Perception in COVID-19 Tourism," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    5. Paz Rico & Bernardí Cabrer-Borrás & Francisco Morillas-Jurado, 2021. "Seasonality in Tourism: Do Senior Programs Mitigate It?," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(16), pages 1-27, August.
    6. Valentina Ndou & Eglantina Hysa & Ylenia Maruccia, 2023. "A Methodological Framework for Developing a Smart-Tourism Destination in the Southeastern Adriatic–Ionian Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-30, January.
    7. Andrea Ciambra & Iraklis Stamos & Alice Siragusa, 2023. "Localizing and Monitoring Climate Neutrality through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework: The Case of Madrid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Miroslav Rončák & Petr Scholz & Ivica Linderová, 2021. "Safety Concerns and Travel Behavior of Generation Z: Case Study from the Czech Republic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, December.
    9. Weiwu Wang & Lingjun Liu & Yuxin Yang, 2022. "Spatial Matching Analysis and Development Strategies of County Night-Time Economy: A Case of Anning County, Yunnan Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, April.
    10. Carmen-Mihaela Cretu & Anca-Gabriela Turtureanu & Carmen-Gabriela Sirbu & Florentina Chitu & Emanuel Ştefan Marinescu & Laurentiu-Gabriel Talaghir & Daniela Monica Robu, 2021. "Tourists’ Perceptions Regarding Traveling for Recreational or Leisure Purposes in Times of Health Crisis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-24, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sharon, Teitler Regev & Shahrabani, Shosh, 2021. "Health precautions while traveling after COVID-19," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 7, pages 68-73.
    2. José Antonio Donaire & Núria Galí & Raquel Camprubi, 2021. "Empty Summer: International Tourist Behavior in Spain during COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Shui-Lien Chen & Hsiang-Ting Hsu & Richard Chinomona, 2023. "How Tourists’ Perceived Risk Affects Behavioral Intention through Crisis Communication in the Post-COVID-19 Era," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Azzeddine Madani & Saad Eddine Boutebal & Hinde Benhamida & Christopher Robin Bryant, 2020. "The Impact of Covid-19 Outbreak on the Tourism Needs of the Algerian Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Celeste Vong & Paulo Rita & Nuno António, 2021. "Health-Related Crises in Tourism Destination Management: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-28, December.
    6. Joanna Kowalczyk-Anioł & Marek Grochowicz & Robert Pawlusiński, 2021. "How a Tourism City Responds to COVID-19: A CEE Perspective (Kraków Case Study)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    7. Thowayeb H. Hassan & Amany E. Salem, 2021. "The Importance of Safety and Security Measures at Sharm El Sheikh Airport and Their Impact on Travel Decisions after Restarting Aviation during the COVID-19 Outbreak," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, May.
    8. Francesca Leccis, 2023. "Urban Regeneration and Touristification in the Sardinian Capital City of Cagliari, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-29, February.
    9. Marko Perić & Vanja Vitezić, 2021. "Tourism Getting Back to Life after COVID-19: Can Artificial Intelligence Help?," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, September.
    10. Ana Chersulich Tomino & Marko Periæ, 2022. "Sport-Tourism Running Events in the Post-COVID-19 World: Any Sign of Change?," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 15(1), pages 135-147.
    11. Wojciech Trzebiński & Radosław Baran & Beata Marciniak, 2021. "Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Make Consumers Shop Alone? The Role of Emotions and Interdependent Self-Construal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    12. Noveri Maulana & Rifelly Dewi Astuti & Hariyadi B. Sukamdani & Prijono Tjiptoherijanto, 2022. "Risk Perception in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic Era: An Analysis of Tourist Accommodation and Travel Behavior in the New Normal Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    13. Walters, Gabby & Magor, Thomas & Kelly, Sarah & Wallin, Ann, 2022. "Cruising through a pandemic: Or not?," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    14. Andrea Baranzini & Stefano Carattini & Linda Tesauro, 2021. "Designing Effective and Acceptable Road Pricing Schemes: Evidence from the Geneva Congestion Charge," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 79(3), pages 417-482, July.
    15. Robert J. R. Elliott & Ingmar Schumacher & Cees Withagen, 2020. "Suggestions for a Covid-19 Post-Pandemic Research Agenda in Environmental Economics," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 76(4), pages 1187-1213, August.
    16. Hinchliffe, Steve, 2015. "More than one world, more than one health: Re-configuring interspecies health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 28-35.
    17. Eleni Kilipiri & Eugenia Papaioannou & Iordanis Kotzaivazoglou, 2023. "Social Media and Influencer Marketing for Promoting Sustainable Tourism Destinations: The Instagram Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    18. NaHyun Lee & Bong-Seok Kim, 2023. "Differences of Host Country-Destination Image Assessment for International Students According to Risk Perception in COVID-19 Tourism," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    19. Patrycja Klusak & Matthew Agarwala & Matt Burke & Moritz Kraemer & Kamiar Mohaddes, 2023. "Rising Temperatures, Falling Ratings: The Effect of Climate Change on Sovereign Creditworthiness," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(12), pages 7468-7491, December.
    20. Farooq, Ali & Laato, Samuli & Islam, A.K.M. Najmul & Isoaho, Jouni, 2021. "Understanding the impact of information sources on COVID-19 related preventive measures in Finland," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6399-:d:568806. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.