Risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic: A generational approach

Resumo

It is estimate that Covid-19 has been responsible for almost 7.000.000 deaths in the World (WHO, 2023). The tourism industry was the most affected one with unprecedented impacts on travel consumer behavior. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk perception among the general population worldwide, with differences between the several generations.

Within this context, the main purpose of the present research is to measure risk perception among Baby Boomers, X, Y and Z generations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The risk perception considered three dimensions related to COVID-19 pandemic: knowledge, beliefs, and fear. In order to measure risk perception among different generations, a quantitative approach was undertaken through a questionnaire applied to people of different generation cohort who want to make a national or international trip during the next months. The empirical collection was conducted from October 1st to December 15th of 2022 and data were obtained by launching and e-questionnaire with a group of questions related to travel risk perceptions and sociodemographic information’s.

The population under study consists of residents in Portugal territory who intends to be (national or international) travelers in the short/medium term.

A total of 960 useable questionnaires was collected.

The findings show how differently COVID-19 pandemic affected the Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z, regarding to risk perception

This work attempts to contribute to the academic literature by looking at the travel risk perception from generations’ perspective.