Social isolation, anxiety, mental well-being and push travel motivation: the case of COVID-19 in Turkey

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of social isolation, anxiety, and mental well-being perceptions on push travel motivations, in the context of the COVID-19 crisis affecting individuals living in Turkey. The reason for examining this period specifically is to reveal how the push travel motivations of potential holidaymakers have been affected due to the new situation whereby they have had to stay at home. Determining the reasons affecting the holiday motivations of individuals is vital for predicting future tourist mobility, especially during this tourism crisis. Data were collected from individuals staying at home due to the curfew during the COVID-19 crisis. Findings reveal that push travel motivation differs according to demographic factors, and that social isolation affects mental well-being negatively, while anxiety and push travel motivation are positively affected. It was found that mental well-being has a positive effect on push travel motivation. In addition, mental well-being has a higher positive effect on push travel motivation than anxiety.