Understanding the Post-Pandemic Travel Intentions Among Chinese Residents: Impact of Sociodemographic Factors, COVID Experiences, Travel Planned Behaviours, Health Beliefs, and Resilience

Abstract

We investigate the shift of travel intentions among Chinese residents following the end of China's Zero-COVID policy in December 2022. Focusing on the 2023 Spring Festival, the first major holiday after the pandemic, we examine the factors influencing travel intentions, including travel experiences during COVID-19, sociodemographics, infection and vaccination experiences, travel planned behaviours, health beliefs, and resilience. Using a cohort study approach, we conducted online surveys in two phases. Initial findings from 1, 263 respondents pre-holiday indicated a moderate intention to travel (average 3.3 out of 5). The results reveal diminishing effects of COVID-19 vaccination, infection experiences and health beliefs (perceived susceptibility, severity and benefits) over time. Past travel experiences, planned behaviours (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control), perceived barriers and resilience significantly elevate travel intentions in the post-COVID period. Additionally, a post-holiday survey found that 44.3% of 79 participants had travelled, providing insight into the evolving travel tendencies.