Crisis Dynamics: Politics and Travel Behaviors

초록

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the tourism industry, coinciding with the politically polarized climate in the United States. This study examines how the political inclinations of different regions influenced perceived COVID-19 risks and travel decisions, and their subsequent impact on the tourism industry. The findings reveal that the political inclination of an area significantly shaped perceived COVID-19 risks and responses, leading to varied travel behaviors and destination choices. Individuals in conservative regions were more likely to travel and stay in hotels than those in liberal areas, resulting in a sharper decline in hotel visits in the latter. Interstate travel behaviors changed, depending on the pandemic stage. By analyzing mobile phone and election data, this study offers practical insights into crisis management and targeted recovery strategies for industry stakeholders. Moreover, this study contributes to mixed-methods research by combining large-scale mobility data with the political context of election outcomes, providing a robust approach to contextualizing behavioral patterns across sociopolitical variables.

키워드