The Dynamics of Crowding and Tourists’ Emotions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Normative Approach

Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Dr. Xiao Xiao is an assistant professor in the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University and located at Hainan University -Arizona State University Joint International Tourism College. Her research interests include climate adaptation planning for parks and recreation areas and transportation management in parks and protected areas.

Dr. Jie Gao is an Assistant Professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management at San Jose State University. Her research focuses on individuals’ emotions and well-being in travel and event-based contexts, and the degree to which their emotions influence consumer decision-making.

Peizhe Li is an undergraduate Research Assistant at School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University and located in Hainan University- Arizona State University Joint International Tourism College. His research interests include climate adaptation planning for cultural resource and innovative methodologies for travel behaviors.

Abstract (150 Words)

The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the mobility, accessibility, and behaviors of tourists dramatically. Under the impact of COVID-19, tourists’ perception of crowding and emotions in tourism destinations are expected to change due to the uncertainty of health risks associated with visitors’ behaviors. This study conducted an onsite visitor survey at Leiqiong Global Geological Park, a highly visited nature-based tourism destination in Hainan Province, China, and aims to 1) examine tourists’ perceptions of crowding and emotions by applying the normative theory of crowding, and 2) identify factors associated with tourists’ perceived crowding and emotions. Study results identify the thresholds of perceived crowding and positive emotions based on the indicator of people per view (PPV) and indicate that mask-wearing can reduce perceived crowding and enhance tourists’ positive emotions. Results also suggest that the level of crowding and COVID-19 prevention strategies and implementation can affect tourists’ emotions in nature-based tourism destinations.

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The Dynamics of Crowding and Tourists’ Emotions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Normative Approach

The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the mobility, accessibility, and behaviors of tourists dramatically. Under the impact of COVID-19, tourists’ perception of crowding and emotions in tourism destinations are expected to change due to the uncertainty of health risks associated with visitors’ behaviors. This study conducted an onsite visitor survey at Leiqiong Global Geological Park, a highly visited nature-based tourism destination in Hainan Province, China, and aims to 1) examine tourists’ perceptions of crowding and emotions by applying the normative theory of crowding, and 2) identify factors associated with tourists’ perceived crowding and emotions. Study results identify the thresholds of perceived crowding and positive emotions based on the indicator of people per view (PPV) and indicate that mask-wearing can reduce perceived crowding and enhance tourists’ positive emotions. Results also suggest that the level of crowding and COVID-19 prevention strategies and implementation can affect tourists’ emotions in nature-based tourism destinations.