The Effect of COVID-19 on potential tourist's consumption behavior: Evidence from GCC countries

Abstract

Little information about the effect of COVID-19 on tourism exists. To fulfil the gap two theories are used, that is Fear Appeal and Means-end Chain Theories. The current study aims to get first-hand information regarding people's travel inclination, tourist attitudes and preferences, and hygiene and safety following COVID-19 pandemic, and to study the impacts of people's gender on the same dimensions. With a sample of 596 of Gulf Cooperation Council citizne with domestic and international travel experience via an online survey, the data were analysed using factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha, comparative means, standard deviation, and ANOVA tests. The findings revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic influences travel inclination, tourist attitudes and preferences, as well as hygiene and safety needs. Moreover, both genders have significant impacts on these findings. Finally, this paper provided some practical implications for reopening the tourism and hospitality business by the end of COVID-19 pandemic.