The Effects of a Politician’s Social Media Communication and the Trip’s Purpose on Global Travel

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although many political leaders communicate with foreign leaders and publics through social media, limited knowledge exists concerning its impact on global travel. However, signaling theory suggests that a political leader’s social media communication signals their honest feelings regarding a country. In response, that country’s residents counter signal via travel behaviors toward the country whose leader made the remarks. When a political leader’s communication is positive toward a country, it is called social media diplomacy (SMD). Comparatively, negative communication is called damaging political rhetoric (ANTI-SMD). Furthermore, this study examined whether a trip’s purpose moderates SMD and ANTI-SMD effects on global travel. Resultantly, SARIMAX time-series modeling found SMD had positive effects on pleasure travel flow and no impact on business or student travelers, while ANTI-SMD caused pleasure travelers to avoid a destination.