Title: How SARS-CoV-2 crisis could influence the tourism intentions of Azores Archipelago residents? A study based on the assessment of the public perceptions

Authors: Gualter Couto; Rui Alexandre Castanho; Pedro Pimentel; Célia Barreto Carvalho; Áurea Sousa

Addresses: School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal ' School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Faculty of Applied Sciences, WSB University in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland; VALORIZA – Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Portalegre, Portugal; CITUR – Madeira, Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, 9000-082 Funchal-Madeira, Portugal ' School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal ' Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; CINEICC, Cognitive and Behavioral Centre for Research and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Genomic Health, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, SUNY Downstate-Brooklyn, N.Y., USA ' Faculty of Sciences and Technology and CEEAplA, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Abstract: Tourism shows to be one of the most affected activities by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19) outbreak. This situation is not only because of the cancelled flights but also of the fear of being infected with the virus. In this regard, a study was carried out intending to define and analyse the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 over the tourism intentions of Azores residents in 2020 by studying their perceptions. Throughout the research, it was possible to verify that the Azores Archipelago residents' tourism intentions were considerably modified due to SARS-CoV-2, with approximately 70% of the Azores Region residents saying that they will be spending their 2020 vacations in the region. Moreover, this article also provides insights into the enhancement of tourism safety models in regional tourism activities and consequently, in regional sustainable development and growth.

Keywords: Azores Region; COVID-19 pandemic; regional studies; socio-economy; sustainable development; sustainable tourism.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2023.127270

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2023 Vol.19 No.1/2, pp.133 - 148

Received: 21 Aug 2020
Accepted: 02 Dec 2020
Published online: 30 Nov 2022 *