Social Distancing in Tourism Destination Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Moderated Mediation...

Area of Science:

• Tourism Management
• Health Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Protective measures during infectious diseases can impact tourist freedom.
• Limited research exists on how destination protective measures affect tourist self-protective behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of perceived destination protective supports on tourists' social distancing intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To apply Protection Motivation Theory to understand tourist behavior in response to health crises.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Protection Motivation Theory framework.
• Analyzed relationships between perceived destination support, coping appraisal, threat appraisal, and social distancing intentions.
• Investigated the mediating roles of cognitive appraisals and the moderating role of social norms.

Main Results:

• Perceived destination support, coping appraisal, and threat appraisal significantly influence tourists' social distancing intentions.
• Cognitive appraisals partially mediate the link between destination support and social distancing intention.
• Social norms moderate this mediational process.

Conclusions:

• Destinations should implement robust protective policies to bolster tourist confidence and encourage self-protection.
• Balancing safety measures with tourist well-being is crucial to avoid anxiety and fear.
• Understanding these factors can help enhance tourist self-protective behaviors in future health crises.