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How COVID-19 has changed tourists’ behaviour

Author

Listed:
  • Haiyan Song

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Cathy H. C. Hsu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Bing Pan

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Yixin Liu

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Abstract

As one of the fastest-growing sectors in many economies, tourism plays a key role in shaping national economic conditions and growth. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound impacts on tourist behaviour and psychology. Understanding tourists’ behavioural and psychological responses to the pandemic is crucial for tourism businesses to manage and sustain post-COVID-19 tourism recovery. To address whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced tourists’ thoughts and behaviours and the extent to which these changes might persist, we provide a narrative Review of the research on tourist behaviours and the psychological impacts of the pandemic. This Review delves into three themes: tourists’ decision-making behaviour; the psychological impacts of the pandemic on tourists; and tourists’ responses to crisis communication strategies. We argue that crisis communication strategies across sectors, pandemic-induced uncertainties and risks and psychological impacts were the predominant influences on tourists’ travel decisions during the pandemic. We conclude by discussing which changes are likely to be sustained.

Suggested Citation

  • Haiyan Song & Cathy H. C. Hsu & Bing Pan & Yixin Liu, 2025. "How COVID-19 has changed tourists’ behaviour," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 43-52, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:9:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41562-024-02037-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-02037-w
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