Can companions share anxiety? The effect of travel companions on tourist anxiety during crisis situations

ABSTRACTRelieving tourist anxiety is critical to tourism crisis management. This study analyzes the effect of travel companions on tourist anxiety during crisis situations through three scenario-based experiments based on the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion (CATE). The results indicate that (1) travel companions can relieve tourist anxiety during crisis situations; (2) perceived risk and learned helplessness mediate this process; and (3) a good destination reputation weakens the effect of travel companions. This study reveals the pathways and intervention mechanisms for tourist anxiety relief during crisis situations. Moreover, it provides practical guidance for tourism crisis response and management.KEYWORDS: Tourism crisis eventsTravel companionsTourist anxietyCognitive appraisal theory of emotionDestination reputation Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant No.: 42201237]; The project of Philosophy and Social Science Research funded by Ministry of Education of China: [Grant No.: 22JHQ067].