The interconnected dynamics through structural equation modelling in the context of revisiting Phuket, Thailand in the aftermath of Covid-19

Abstract

Phuket is a prominent tourist destination known for its magnificent
beaches, vibrant nightlife, and fantastic classical architecture. Prior to the
Covid-19 pandemic, the island attracted millions of visitors around the world,
contributing to Thailand’s economy. The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic
has significantly reshaped the landscape of global tourism, and as the world
gradually recovers, an intention to revisit tourist destinations is experiencing
a renaissance. The aim of this research is to explore the connection between
anxiety, attitude, perception, and revisit intention to Phuket, Thailand. Data
collection was gathered through an online survey consisting of 3,194 responses
all over Thailand, during October and November 2021.This paper presents the
Structural Equation Model (SEM) in analyzing the relationship between the
variables. The results of causal relationship model analysis of the connection
between variables showed the consistency index of the model based on the
Chi-squared test values (χ² = 499.034, df = 172, χ²/df = 2.901, p value = .000,
RMSEA = 0.024, RMR = 0.022, GFI = 0.986, NFI = 0.991, and TLI = 0.986).
This holistic perspective contributes to the theoretical framework surrounding
tourist behavior and mental health by illustrating how these constructs
interact in the context of travel. However, the key finding from this research
demonstrated that anxiety influences the opposite direction to revisit intention;
anxiety exists only in the crisis situation.