Behavioral Intention of Traveling in the period of COVID-19: An application of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Perceived Risk

Purpose - This paper aims to examine travelers` behavioral intention of traveling in the period of coronavirus by employing the theory of planned behavior. The framework incorporates attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and a very crucial construct, i.e. perceived risk, as per the current critical scenario of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach - Data was collected using a survey instrument on the internet by posting the questionnaire link over social network web pages of online traveling websites. The data was analyzed using structural equations modeling with AMOS 22.0 and SPSS software, and the proposed hypotheses were statistically tested. The sample under consideration constitutes 417 responses. Findings - Empirical findings suggest that attitude, perceived behavioral control and perceived risk are significant for predicting behavioral intention while subjective norms do not. And these variables explained about 35 percent of the variance in behavioral intention of traveling in the period of coronavirus. Research limitations/implications - This study can benefit travelers, tourism and hospitality industry, governments, aviation industry and other relevant organizations as this paper offers the latest updates and essential information regarding traveler`s intention of traveling in the period of coronavirus. The study mainly focuses on India, so the generalizations of results to other countries are unwanted. Originality/value - The primary value of this paper is that it tested the theory of planned behavior by incorporating perceived risk in the context of COVID-19. To the best of authors' knowledge, in Indian context, there is no study which has tested the TPB by adding perceived risk in explaining the Indian citizens' behavioral intention of traveling in the period of Coronavirus.

Automated summary

The study examines travelers' behavioral intention during the period of coronavirus using the theory of planned behavior, finding that attitude, perceived behavioral control, and perceived risk are significant predictors of behavioral intention, while subjective norms are not. These variables explained about 35% of the variance. The research offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the tourism industry and provides the latest updates on travelers' intentions during the pandemic, with a focus on the Indian context.