Free Independent Travelers (FITS) Travel Preferences and Behavior: A Post-Endemic Perspective

Kamaruddin Nhajril, Amir Ahmad Fitri (), Ali Quratulain Syahirah Awang and Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz
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Kamaruddin Nhajril: YTL International College of Hotel Management, Selangor, Malaysia
Amir Ahmad Fitri: Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Selangor, Malaysia
Ali Quratulain Syahirah Awang: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Terengganu, Malaysia
Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz: Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Selangor, Malaysia

Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 2024, vol. 31, issue 4, 24-32

Abstract: Introduction. This empirical study investigates the outbound travel preferences, risk perception, and behavior of Free Independent Travelers (FITs), specifically focusing on the post-endemic perspective. Material and Methods. Data were collected from 345 respondents using a purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using Partial-least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 4.0 software. Results. Contrary to much existing literature, the study revealed that perceived threat and transmission risks did not negatively impact FITs’ travel intentions. Instead, both risk perceptions positively influenced travel attitudes, likely due to post-pandemic factors such as government mitigation measures and high vaccination rates. Additionally, FITs’ travel intentions were significantly influenced by their attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Conclusions. The study contributes to the emerging discourse on post-pandemic travel behaviors by challenging traditional assumptions about the role of risk perception in shaping travel decisions. It shows that perceived risks do not deter FITs’ travel intentions post-pandemic. Instead, these risks positively influence travel attitudes, highlighting the role of mitigation measures and vaccination rates, and offering fresh perspectives on travel behavior in a post-endemic world.

Keywords: free independent travelers; perceived risk; tourist behavior; theory of planned behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:spotou:v:31:y:2024:i:4:p:24-32:n:1004

DOI: 10.2478/pjst-2024-0024

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