Drivers and dampers of distance desire in crisis periods: A German market perspective

Authors

  • Anne Köchling German Institute for Tourism Research at FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, Heide, Germany. Email: koechling@fh-westkueste.de
  • Tafadzwa Matiza TREES (Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society) at the North-West University, South Africa
  • Bernd Eisenstein German Institute for Tourism Research at FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, Heide, Germany. Email: eisenstein@fh-westkueste.de

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v39i.3640

Keywords:

distance desire, long-distance travel intention, multiple linear regression, crises, distance decay, travel destination choice

Abstract

Modelling complex consumptive decision-making during crisis periods represents a burgeoning research avenue, particularly in the context of intercontinental travel. Examining data generated from a representative online sample of n = 2,021 Germans as potential long-haul travellers, this study investigated which socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioural factors positively (drivers) or negatively (dampers) influenced distance desire during the contemporary era characterised by crisis events. After applying multiple linear regressions with distance desire as the dependent variable, it was found that in crisis periods, hedonistic travel motives, a high affinity for risk and previous long-distance travel experience are the drivers of distance desire, whilst socio-demographic factors (e.g., income or age) and the desire to maintain a low climate footprint do not exert a significant dampening influence. Results can support attempts to influence long-distance travel behaviour in crisis periods since they clarify which travel motives and other factors drive the desire for long-distance travel in Germany.

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Published

2025-01-15

How to Cite

Köchling, A., Matiza, T., & Eisenstein, B. (2025). Drivers and dampers of distance desire in crisis periods: A German market perspective. European Journal of Tourism Research, 39, 3905. https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v39i.3640