Behavioral Transformation of Tourism: Pandemic as a Tool of Interpretation

Abstract

Mankind has experienced numerous disasters throughout history. Especially events with uncertain effects and duration, such as outbreaks, have been much more devastating. The current COVID 19 pandemic is one of the most striking examples of these disasters. However, the pandemic significantly changes social life behaviors. This change has different dimensions such as psychology, economy, society and environment. The concept of behavior with sociological and
psychological depth is also an important starting point for fields that are not independent of social
life dynamics such as tourism. As a matter of fact, it is possible that changing behavior patterns
depending on the pandemic conditions will also affect tourism behavior. In this study, firstly, the
results of the research in the literature on pandemic and behavioral changes were examined.
Secondly, research results on changes in tourism behavior were evaluated. Finally, a comparison
was made between the results and inferences were made regarding current tourism behavior. In
this context, the results of relevant studies show that the changes in social life behavior caused
by the pandemic are also reflected in tourism behavior. While the negative consequences of the
pandemic will be more effective on the psychological dimension, it is predicted that this situation
will cause a change in holiday, transportation and accommodation preferences.