Title: The COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on Valle de Bravo tourism from the residents' perspective

Authors: Omar Ismael Ramírez Hernández; Yanelli Daniela Palmas-Castrejón; Alejandro Delgado-Cruz; Rocio del Carmen Serrano-Barquín

Addresses: Tourism Department, Chetumal Bahía Campus, Autonomous University of the State of Quintana Roo, Av. Erick Paolo Martínez S/N, 17 de Octubre, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, CP, 77039, Mexico ' Faculty of Tourism and Gastronomy, Autonomous University of State of Mexico, Cerro de Coatepec s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Toluca, Estado de México, CP, 50100, Mexico ' Faculty of Tourism and Gastronomy, Autonomous University of State of Mexico, Mexico, Cerro de Coatepec s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Toluca, Estado de México. CP, 50100, Mexico ' Faculty of Tourism and Gastronomy, Autonomous University of State of Mexico, Mexico, Cerro de Coatepec s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Toluca, Estado de México. CP, 50100, Mexico

Abstract: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in travel restrictions, which have had a significant direct impact on tourism destinations. This research explored the pandemic's effect on tourism activities in Valle de Bravo, Mexico from the residents' perspective using questionnaires, interviews, and negativity bias theory. According to this theory, negative impacts have a greater weight than positive ones. The results indicate that, while residential tourists have helped alleviate the cost of controlling the pandemic in this tourism destination, residents perceive the negative effects as more significant. The findings provide first-hand information that should facilitate the introduction of more appropriate strategies that can expediate stakeholders' decision-making processes.

Keywords: residents' perceptions; coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic; negative bias theory; residential tourist; impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2023.134516

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2023 Vol.13 No.6, pp.581 - 599

Accepted: 08 Mar 2023
Published online: 26 Oct 2023 *

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