Post-COVID-19 Educational Tourism: Social eWOM Adoption, Attitude, and Destination Choice Intention


Rahimizhian ., Irani F., Eluwole K. K.

in: Brand Co-Creation Tourism Research: Contemporary Issues and Challenges, Raouf Ahmad Rather, Editor, Apple Academic Press, New York, pp.1-23, 2023

  • Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Publisher: Apple Academic Press
  • City: New York
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-23
  • Editors: Raouf Ahmad Rather, Editor
  • Istanbul Gelisim University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have searched for more information about products and brands on social media. This study aims to examine how social networking sites act as a tool to reach fast and accurate information for the choice of educational tourism destinations that help explain the advantages of such media in promoting tourist destinations from a global aspect. Applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study integrated social electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), attitude, and choice intention constructs to investigate whether social eWOM can be an influential factor influencing the attitude and choice of edu-tourists regarding international higher education destinations. It also examined the moderating effect of COVID-19 fear arousal on the relation between edutourists’ choice intention and its related antecedents.