Stress and coping: exploring the experiences of travellers during COVID-19 hotel quarantine

ABSTRACT

This study conceptualises hotel quarantine as a dynamic stressor that demands the deployment of coping responses. The study investigates the experiences of travellers who have undergone strict quarantine, through the lens of Lazarus’ transactional model of stress and coping. Using 20 semi-structured interviews, this study reveals that the quarantine experience is beleaguered by six stressors, both external and internal. As a result, travellers appraise their resources as insufficient, culminating in an array of psychological and physical effects. In response, problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies are employed. Theoretical insights, as well as practical recommendations, are provided to help prospective guests prepare for the experience, and aid hoteliers in enhancing their offerings.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• hotel quarantine
• stress
• coping
• experiences
• emotion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kimberly Y. Peterkin

Kimberly Y. Peterkin, PhD is a Lecturer in the School of Community Resources and Development, The Hainan University-Arizona State University International Tourism College, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Her research interests include organisational behaviour and hotel operations.

Frank Badu-Baiden

Frank Badu-Baiden, PhD is a Senior Lecturer in the Lee Shau Kee School of Business & Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University. His research interests include tourism psychology and gastronomy tourism.

Fahad Mohammed Alhuqbani

Fahad Mohammed Alhuqbani, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, College of Tourism and Archaeology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include tourist behaviour and destination marketing.