Travel anxiety, risk attitude and travel intentions towards “travel bubble” destinations in Hong Kong: Effect of the fear of COVID-19

Abstract

The impacts of COVID-19 are massive. Global tourism is one of the industries that is heavily affected. “Travel bubble”, a recent term initiated by travel operators, is a programme that allows tourists to travel to countries nearby without quarantine requirements. This study investigates the relationship amongst fear of COVID-19, travel anxiety, risk attitude and travel intention towards “travel bubble” destinations. Results show that fear of COVID-19, travel anxiety and risk attitude negatively impact travel intention. Furthermore, travel anxiety and risk attitude moderate the indirect impacts between fear of COVID-19 and travel intention. Future research and implications of practices are presented.