INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 GLOBAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON TOURISTS’ TRAVEL BEHAVIOR, HABITS AND INTENTIONS “APPLIED STUDY ON SAUDI TOURISTS”

Abstract

Covid-19 pandemic posed new global restrictions affected movement and tourists’ travel behavior and habits. This study aims to investigate and monitor these effects to understand the new features of tourists’ behavior in general and Saudis in particular. The study depending on closed-ended questionnaire directed to 374 Saudi air travelers to investigate their travel habits and behavior before and after the pandemic, using t-test and chi- square to analyze it. The study resulted that covid-19 travel restrictions affected travelers’ preferences, habits and intentions, especially concerning destination choice, reservation methods, tourist activities, and means of transportation, accommodation and trip duration.