Journal article
Humour: coping with travel bans during the COVID-19 pandemic
International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol.16(1), pp.222-237
2022
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to extend the use of psychology in the field of tourism crisis and disaster management using coping theory. It examines how resident emotions change in the extended prodromal stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and how residents used humour to cope with stress from not being able to travel. Design/methodology/approach: Early COVID-19 (March–April 2020) was characterised by negative media reports, lockdowns and travel restrictions but for Indonesia, no direct effects in terms of loss of life. This unusual context has led to phenomena not previously studied – humour as a coping strategy. This research consists of two studies: Study 1 used thematic analysis of interviews before and during the early lockdown period with a panel of 245 quarantined residents who had travelled in the prior two years. Study 2 followed up using a #hasthtag analysis of travel-related videos content posted on Instagram and TikTok. Findings: The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unusual crisis which has resulted in high levels of stress and uncertainty. This study identified the unusual characteristics of the COVID-19 crises and changes of quarantined resident’s emotions during the pre-event and prodromal stages. In addition, this study found the use of humour as a coping mechanism during the lockdown period and the use of social media as the vehicle for humour. Research limitations/implications: These findings may be generalisable only to a crises and disasters with an extended prodromal stage. Interestingly, climate change has some similar characteristics where warning signs are available, but the personal implications have not yet become apparent. Practical implications: The emotions associated with crisis are dynamic and crisis managers may tailor communication to help deal with stress. Social implications: This research provides an insight into how humorous content can be used to reduce negative emotions in the early stage of a stressful event associated with travel restrictions. This study may be suitable for use in integrated marketing communication in post-recovery messaging for the tourism industry and destination management organisation in the digital platform. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate “dark humour” during the early stages of COVID-19 and also the use of coping strategies to explain how humour can reduce stress.
Details
- Title
- Humour: coping with travel bans during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors
- Sari Lenggogeni (Author) - Andalas UniversityAnn Suwaree Ashton (Author) - National Institute of Development AdministrationNoel Scott (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research Centre
- Publication details
- International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol.16(1), pp.222-237
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- DOI
- 10.1108/IJCTHR-09-2020-0223
- ISSN
- 1750-6190
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99578904702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
14 Record Views
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
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