COVID-19 and medical tourism intentions for Iran – a test of the risk perception attitude framework (RPAF)

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether medical tourism can be a frontrunner in terms of post-pandemic recovery for the industry Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method analysis of 17 interviews and 210 questionnaires involving medical tourists to Iran was applied. Findings Medical tourists perceived the risks posed by COVID-19 as a temporal one, and attitudes toward post pandemic visitation intentions remained strong. In addition, these tourists can mostly be classified into responsive individuals, who demonstrate not only high risk but also high efficacy levels to negotiate the threats posed by the pandemic. No gender differences were located between male and female medical tourists in terms of post-COVID-19 travel intentions to Iran. Originality/value This research extends the application of the risk perception attitude framework to a medical tourism context. Furthermore, medical tourists are uncovered as another segment of crisis-resistant tourists.