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Assessing the Traveling Risks Perceived by South African Travelers during Pandemic Outbreaks: The Case of COVID-19

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  • Pia Antoinette Plank

    (School of Economics, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Luís Filipe Gomes

    (School of Economics, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Paulo Caldas

    (Business and Economic School, Instituto Superior de Gestão, Av. Mal. Craveiro Lopes 2A, 1700-284 Lisbon, Portugal
    CEG-IST, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1040-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    Centre for Local Government, UNE School of Business, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia)

  • Miguel Varela

    (Business and Economic School, Instituto Superior de Gestão, Av. Mal. Craveiro Lopes 2A, 1700-284 Lisbon, Portugal
    CEFAGE, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Diogo Cunha Ferreira

    (CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1040-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

The unprecedented global health crisis caused by COVID-19 is undoubtedly having a major impact on international tourism for two reasons. While the imposed travel restrictions have discouraged people from traveling, travelers are struggling with growing anxiety in coping with the new travel environment. We address the changing risk perceptions of travelers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary objective is to identify and weigh significant emerging travel risks and develop a Risk Score Index to measure destination performance and strategic interventions for South African travelers. In this case, we used MACBETH and web-Delphi to construct that index with the help of 32 experts in the field. We found that the risks perceived by tourists are multifaceted and encompass categories, such as additional costs, exchange rates, and reimbursement-related factors. These three criteria are most important to the general perception of travel risk. We applied the developed risk assessment index to five destinations to assess their performance relative to the identified risks. The UK was the best-performing country.

Suggested Citation

  • Pia Antoinette Plank & Luís Filipe Gomes & Paulo Caldas & Miguel Varela & Diogo Cunha Ferreira, 2023. "Assessing the Traveling Risks Perceived by South African Travelers during Pandemic Outbreaks: The Case of COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9267-:d:1166524
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Paulo Caldas & Miguel Varela, 2023. "The Portuguese Public Hospitals Performance Evolution before and during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic (2017–2022)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-31, July.
    3. Li Sun & Jin Chen & Xiankai Huang, 2024. "Navigating Health-Related Crises: Unraveling the Role of Confidence in Tourism Recovery in Shaping Sustainable Strategies for Tourists’ Intentions across Pandemic Phases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-25, September.

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