An analysis of preferences of convention attendees in the time of Covid-19 pandemic

This study is to clarify the current situation of convention business and analyze the preferences of convention attendees in the time of Covid-19 pandemic. To clarify the research objectives, this study employed the statistical data of questionnaire survey on the perceptions of convention attendees in the Japanese Society of Hot Spring Science, Japan. The questionnaire survey was conducted in November 2020. The survey instrument was divided into 4 parts: demographic information, reasons for participation, types of meeting, and priority of countermeasures against Covid-19. Even in the time of Covid-19, 60% of the respondents answered that they hope to participate in convention by onsite meeting because they are willing to meet other participants who can share their knowledge. On the other hand, there are advantages such as no transportation fees and infection prevention by holding convention in online. Moreover, online meetings give a new business opportunity for IT-related jobs. However, holding online meeting does not bring economic impact to local area in the perspective of tourism industry. Without economic impact to local area, local tourism industry starts to decline. It means loss of employment and cultural properties. During Covid-19 pandemic, online meetings can be considered as an option. However, after the Covid-19 pandemic gets resolved, onsite meeting or at least hybrid meetings will be recommended.