Exploring the Effects of Risk Perceptions and Depression of Young Travelers on Destination Trust in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT The correlations among travelers’ depression in a public health crisis, risk perceptions (affective risk and cognitive risk perception), and destination trust are explored through this study’s employment of quantitative methods with PLS-SEM. This study also examines the differences between male and female young travelers, regarding risk perceptions, depression, and destination trust, and the relationships among these factors. The main findings showed that risk perceptions have remarkably impacted destination trust. However, risk perceptions have not affected depression, and depression has no relationship with destination trust, which is not in line with previous research. Furthermore, a significant difference was found between male and female young travelers in the relationships between risk perceptions and destination trust. Besides, the study provides some implications to enrich the literature for academics. Practical implications could help destination marketers, and tourism companies better understand young travelers’ behaviors in the new normal of society.