Urban air pollution in China

Destination image and risk perceptions

Bibliographic Data

ID23357769
AuthorsBecken (0000-0002-3348-2750, Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia, corresponding author), Susanne Becken (Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia), Xin Jin (0000-0003-4590-5834, Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia), Chen Zhang (0000-0002-1923-2771, Shanghai Normal University), Jun Gao (0000-0002-1227-8857, Shanghai Normal University)
Year2017
Volume25
Issue1
Pages130-147
Publication date2017-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Sustainable Tourism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-9582 • E-ISSN: 1747-7646
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09669582.2016.1177067
OpenAlexW2401391513
LanguageEN
Citations received68
References cited58

Inbound tourist arrivals into China have been declining in recent years, possibly in response to increasing levels of urban air pollution. To examine Westerners’ contemporary views on China as a travel destination, with a particular focus on air pollution, this research surveyed 600 US and Australian residents. An online panel survey collected data on cognitive and affective destination image, cognitive and affective risk perceptions, intention to visit China and key demographic variables. The findings show that, while China's cognitive image attributes were perceived positively, potential travellers expressed negative views about travel risks in China in general and about air quality in particular. Importantly, feelings towards the risk of air quality had a significant negative impact on destination image as well as intention to visit China. The research contributes to theory by highlighting the importance of considering affective risk perceptions in destination image studies. While some market segments seemed less sensitive to air pollution than others, this paper concludes that unless China proactively addresses the problem of air pollution, for example by seeking to stimulate positive feelings, international arrivals may continue to be compromised.

Air pollution · Air quality index · Business · China · Cognition · Destination Image · Destinations · Feeling · Geography · Perception · Risk perception · Tourism · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Marketing · Psychology · Social Psychology