LOCAL TRAVEL BEHAVIOR DURING COVID – 19 : A PRELIMINARY STUDY
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected individuals worldwide and most industries around the globe have experienced difficult times. The tourism business is perceived as one of the most vulnerable industries as they face a declining number of tourists. The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted tourist behavior. This research aims to seek a greater understanding of domestic travel behavior post COVID-19. Potential domestic tourists’ attitudes and travel motivation were investigated. A quantitative research with a questionnaire was adopted in this study. The local Phuketians were approached across Phuket city. 201 usable cases were used for a descriptive statistical analysis. A statistical descriptive analysis using MS excel was conducted. It was found that the key purposes of the holiday post COVID-19 were having a natural experience, relaxation, and adventure, respectively. The top three domestic destinations were Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bangkok. The research findings provide practical implications for local governments to use in reviewing their policies to suit post COVID-19 tourism management.
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