Tourists’ Perception of Travel Risk and Management in Destination amid Covid-19 Pandemic: Empirical Evidence from Nepal

Abstract

Travel risk and management views of tourists have a key role in their choice of locations while the COVID-19 epidemic is still causing travel-related concerns. Despite many studies available in the western world, the effect of COVID-19 has been less explored in Nepal. Thus, this research aims to investigate travel risk and management perception in post-COVID tourism activities in Nepal. Based on pathogen stress theory and explanatory research design, this study seeks a causal relationship between Travel Risk and Management in Nepal. Following the purposive sampling technique, data collection is done using KOBO Toolbox through a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that Risk Management, Transportation Patterns, Distribution Channel, Avoidance of Overpopulated destinations, Hygiene and Safety are significant to Travel risk and management perception whereas Risk Management, Travel risk and management perception, Service Delivery, Distribution Channel, Hygiene and Safety are significant to COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal which supports pathogen-stress theory. Furthermore, travel risk and management perception partially mediate the favorable association between avoidance of overpopulated destinations and the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the primary problems faced by the traveler were securing a comfortable hotel and selecting a destination where COVID risk is minimum. However, the COVID-19 break has caused health concerns among visitors, causing many to cancel their holiday plans. Therefore, in the post-pandemic phase, tourists are more concerned about the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on their travel activities and choice.