Purpose – This article investigates how the Covid-19 pandemic influenced the behavior of cruise tourists who visited Porto Belo (SC) during the 2022/2023 season, the first after the recovery of the sector.
Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted with 267 cruise passengers through structured questionnaires addressing risk perception, confidence in health protocols, and intention to repurchase and/or recommend the experience. The theoretical framework draws on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), highlighting the importance of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in travel decisions.
Findings – The results reveal high levels of confidence in health protocols (above 80%), a strong intention to repeat the experience (95.9%), and substantial satisfaction with the stopover in Porto Belo (around 88% evaluated the destination positively).
Practical implications – The findings highlight the importance of maintaining flexible health protocols, ensuring transparent communication with passengers, and strengthening cooperation between maritime companies, public authorities, and local service providers.
Originality/value – Research limitations – The study contributes to understanding post-pandemic tourist behavior in the cruise segment, showing that although the pandemic prompted moderate adjustments in travel habits, it did not hinder the gradual and resilient recovery of the sector.
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Turismo: Visão e Ação, linked to the Graduate Program in Tourism and Hospitality - Master's and Ph.D., is a scientific journal published in a continuous flow system, with an interdisciplinary and international scope. According to Qualis/CAPES criteria (2021-2024), it is classified as 'A4' in the fields of Administration, Accounting Sciences, and Tourism. Registered with ISSN number 1983-7151, Tourismo: Visão e Ação began its activities in 1998 with printed publications in English and Portuguese. In 2008, it transitioned to an online publication, expanding its reach to a broader audience. It maintains a policy of being an open-access journal without submission or access fees. The abbreviated title for the journal is Tur., Visão e Ação, commonly used in bibliographies, footnotes, references, and bibliographic captions.
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