Post-COVID-19 Tourists’ Preferences, Attitudes and Travel Expectations: A Study in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Miguel Orden-Mejía, Mauricio Carvache-Franco, Assumpció Huertas, Wilmer Carvache-Franco, Nathalie Landeta-Bejarano and Orly Carvache-Franco
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Miguel Orden-Mejía: Facultat de Turisme i Geografia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain
Mauricio Carvache-Franco: Facultad de Turismo y Hotelería, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón 092301, Ecuador
Assumpció Huertas: Department of Communication, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43002 Tarragona, Spain
Wilmer Carvache-Franco: Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanísticas, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil 090615, Ecuador
Nathalie Landeta-Bejarano: Carrera de Turismo, Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo, Babahoyo 120102, Ecuador
Orly Carvache-Franco: Facultad de Especialidades Empresariales, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil 090615, Ecuador

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Expectations about a destination influence the tourist experience during the travel process stages. In the post-COVID-19 normalcy, people are adjusting their priorities and social values. Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify tourists’ expectations before traveling. The objectives of this research were: (a) identify the preferences of tourists; (b) establish the attitudes of tourists; and (c) determine the expectations of tourists for post-COVID-19 destination selection. The study analyzed a sample of 491 people during pandemic lockdowns in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Statistical techniques such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used in data analysis. The results show that after the pandemic, tourists prefer urban tourism, followed by cultural tourism and traveling with relatives. It also shows a more responsible and supportive attitude when traveling. Likewise, the results support the dimensional structure that explains a set of post-pandemic tourist expectations. Five factors were identified: Smart Care, pricing strategy, safety, comfort, and social distancing. Finally, the theoretical and managerial implications of the results that will guide for tourism destination managers were discussed.

Keywords: pandemic; crisis; destination choice; mental health; smart care; pricing strategy; safety; comfort; social distancing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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