Conceptualization of inclination towards domestic tourism during COVID-19 crisis

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed at investigating inclination towards domestic tourism during COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, 19 international tourists received in-depth interviews on domestic tourism during COVID-19 crisis in the first phase (qualitative) of the study. The interviews were thematically analyzed to identify 29 codes and 5 concepts (economic, communicational, psychological, health, and executive incentives) into the inclination category. Finally, the domestic tourism inclination construct during COVID-19 crisis was developed. In the second (quantitative) phase, the identified construct was tested and implemented by analyzing the questionnaires filled out by 390 Iranian tourists using AMOS. While validating the construct in general, the results of the first and second-order factor analysis revealed that health and economic incentives had the highest and lowest correlation with the inclination category, respectively. Finally, using the TOPSIS technique, indices were ranked, revealing that the three indices of Taking Care of Family Members and Relatives in Other Locations (C3), Financial Problems Due to the Pandemic Crisis (EC2), and Using a private vehicle (EX2), were the first three priorities and the three main indices influencing the inclination towards domestic tourism during this critical period.