Always local?: Examining the relationship between peer-to-peer accommodations and restaurants

Abstract

While researchers recognize the impact of tourism on restaurants, the impact of peer-to-peer accommodations on restaurants has been under-researched. While staying at a peer-to-peer accommodation is inherently choosing local over corporate business, does this behavior hold through to the choice of restaurant? COVID-19's influence on peer-to-peer accommodation guests' dining behaviors is also yet to be studied. Does this accommodation mode affect restaurant employment? Thus, this study examines the impact of peer-to-peer accommodations on restaurant employment, the antecedents of restaurant choice (chain vs. local restaurant) of peer-to-peer guests, and the impact of COVID-19 regulations on this choice. We used ten years of AirDNA and publicly available restaurant employment earnings data in the U.S. to measure the economic impact of peer-to-peer accommodations on restaurant employment. We surveyed 479 peer-to-peer accommodations guests who had traveled in the last two years and analyzed that data using SEM. Authenticity, perceived value, and star ratings impact the choice of chain or local restaurant. Adherence to COVID-19 regulations impacted this choice and risk perception mediated this decision. Guests were more likely to choose chain restaurants after COVID-19.