THE COVID-19 IMPACT ON DOMESTIC TOURISTS' TRAVEL BEHAVIOR: A CASE OF PHU QUOC ISLAND, KIEN GIANG, VIETNAM

Abstract

In the current context, it is critical to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic impact on tourist travel behavior. This enables local governments and travel businesses to implement efficient crisis response and tourism recovery plans. This research was conducted in Phu Quoc tourist destination, Kien Giang province. The obtained results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced domestic tourists' travel behavior toward Phu Quoc island such as: reduced frequency of traveling per year; a preference for short-term travel; a preference for booking travel services online and close to the date of travel; and traveling in the form of a self-organized family/friend group; paying much attention to the destination's safety and hygiene; amid the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors get agitated and apprehensive; paying close attention to sea and island attractions as well as natural ecology. The findings of this study help to provide useful information to local governments and travel businesses so that they may adopt strategies to boost domestic tourism to Phu Quoc in the near future.