What Drives People to Travel during a Pandemic: The Role of Media Information and Trust in the Government

In order to better understand of travelers’ risk perception and travel decision in pandemic, this study examines the role of media information and the effect of trust in the government on travel decision making based on the social amplification of risk framework. We perform a structural equation model using 1,156 samples collected through an online survey. The most notable findings are that the exaggeration and volume of media information play significant roles as moderators in the relationship between risk characteristics and perceived risk. In addition, the results reveal that trust in the government completely mediates the relationship between perceived societal risk and travel intention. Based on the findings, this study provides implications for the risk management and travel decision-making process during pandemic crises.