Tourist Xenophobia and Residents' Perspective in the VUCA Era: The Case of Japan During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study explores how tourist xenophobia (TXO) and residents’ acceptance of tourists changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. If tourists feel TXO when travelling abroad during the pandemic, then, as residents in their home country, they may not welcome other tourists. Previous research on xenophobia in tourism has focused on tourists’ perspectives, but few studies have examined residents’ perspectives. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the influence of TXO on residents’ acceptance during COVID-19 in Japan. The national government required residents to stay at home and avoid unnecessary outings while implementing a campaign to promote the tourism industry by subsidising travel expenses. Analysis of data from residents in tourist destinations showed that TXO negatively influences residents’ acceptance of tourists and their travel intentions. There was a significant covariance between travel intention and tourist acceptance. Thus, TXO affects tourist intention and residents’ acceptance. Destination managers must explain to residents the importance of attracting tourists to boost the economy and mitigate xenophobia. Mitigating residents’ xenophobia and welcoming tourists are crucial for becoming a sustainable tourist destination in the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) era of the pandemic.

Citation

Uehara, W. and Kamata, H. (2024), "Tourist Xenophobia and Residents' Perspective in the VUCA Era: The Case of Japan During the COVID-19 Pandemic", Islam, N.U., Chaudhary, M. and Vukadin, I.M. (Ed.) Tourism in a VUCA World: Managing the Future of Tourism, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 105-118. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-674-020241008