Examined The Relationship Between Travel Anxiety and Destination Choice: Implications for Tourism Marketing: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Travel anxiety refers to the psychological distress experienced by individuals when engaging in travel-related activities.It encompasses feelings of worry, fear, and unease associated with various aspects of travel, such as flying, navigating unfamiliar environments, or being away from home.This qualitative study examined the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice, specifically focusing on its implications for tourism marketing.Through in-depth interviews with individuals who have experienced travel anxiety, the study explored their past experiences and decision-making processes when selecting destinations.Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring diverse travel anxiety levels and demographic backgrounds.Data analysis followed a thematic approach, using past tense verbs to capture participants' retrospective perspectives on their travel anxiety experiences.The findings revealed that travel anxiety significantly influenced destination choices, with various factors contributing to decision-making processes.Past tense verbs were employed to describe participants' experiences, emotions, and coping mechanisms during their previous travel experiences.These verbs highlighted the nuanced nature of travel anxiety and provided valuable insights into the specific triggers and manifestations of anxiety in different travel contexts.The implications for tourism marketing were identified through the lens of the findings.Strategies were proposed to address and alleviate travel anxiety, targeting specific stages of the decision-making process.Tourism marketers can tailor their marketing efforts to better accommodate and support individuals with travel anxiety, ultimately enhancing their overall travel experiences by comprehending the complex relationship between destination selection and travel anxiety.This study adds to the growing body of research on travel anxiety by shedding light on people's individual experiences and providing tourism marketers with practical implications.The long-term effects of marketing interventions on reducing travel anxiety and increasing destination satisfaction should be the subject of additional research.

Introduction
According to Bi & Lehto, (2018), the tourism industry is impacted by the traveler and marketer anxiety and destination selection (Flaherty & Nasir, 2020).Knowing how travel anxiety and destination choice relate to tourism marketing strategies can be helpful.Studies have shown that tourists' decision-making processes are influenced by travel anxiety and that anxiety-related issues must be addressed.For instance, the study by Park et al., (2017) underscored the requirement for custom-fitted showcasing ways to lighten travel uneasiness and upgrade objective allure.In addition, a study by Luo & Lam, (2020) found that the experiences and characteristics of a destination can significantly reduce travel anxiety.Despite these contributions, it is necessary to conduct qualitative research on the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice to gain a deeper comprehension of tourists' perceptions and preferences (Reza Jalilvand et al., 2012).
Travel anxiety refers to the psychological distress experienced by individuals when engaging in travelrelated activities.It encompasses feelings of worry, fear, and unease associated with various aspects of travel, such as flying, navigating unfamiliar environments, or being away from home.Research has shown that travel anxiety can significantly impact tourists' overall travel experiences, including their destination choices ( Zhang et al., 2021;Reisinger & Mavondo, 2005).High levels of travel anxiety can lead to decreased enjoyment, increased stress, and even avoidance of specific destinations or travel activities (Xiao et al., 2015).Understanding the nature and consequences of travel anxiety is crucial for tourism marketers to address this issue effectively.
A multitude of factors influences destination choice.These include personal characteristics, such as age, gender, and socio-economic status, as well as psychological factors, such as motivations, preferences, and attitudes (No & Kim, 2014).Social influences, such as recommendations from friends or family, and external factors, such as destination image and marketing efforts, also significantly shape destination choices (Zhang et al., 2021).By comprehensively examining these factors, tourism marketers can better understand the decisionmaking processes of potential travelers and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.
The decision to visit a tourist village in Indonesia involves several important factors.First, it is essential to identify cities in Indonesia with attractive tourist villages.About 50 cities in Indonesia have famous and popular tourist villages.One of the cities worth considering is Yogyakarta, which has tourist villages such as Kasongan Village, which is famous for its pottery crafts.Malang also offers tourist villages such as Batu Village, which offers a beautiful rural atmosphere and a variety of tourist rides.Likewise, other cities, such as Bandung and Lembang Village, offer cool air and stunning natural panoramas.Ubud in Bali is also famous for its tourist village, which offers rich art and culture, Sawarna Village with beautiful beaches, Cikolelet Village with the natural beauty of the mountains and the culture of the people In choosing the proper tourist village, it is also essential to take citations from trusted sources.For example, an article titled "Exploring the potential of cultural villages as a model of community based tourism" by Dewi et al., (2018) stated, Kasongan village in Yogyakarta is a tourist destination worth visiting.Visitors can enjoy beautiful pottery and explore the life of the friendly local people (Asri et al., 2022).
Previous studies on the connection between the choice of a destination and travel anxiety (Mkono, 2020): The connection between travel anxiety and the choice of destination has been the subject of numerous studies.For example, (Zhang et al., 2021) observed that people with more significant movement uneasiness were bound to choose natural objections or ones seen as protected and okay.In addition, they tended to steer clear of crowded or chaotic locations.A review (Oliveira et al., 2020) found that people anxious about traveling were more likely to rely on online reviews and recommendations to alleviate their worries.These studies emphasize the importance of tourism marketers considering anxiety-relieving strategies in their marketing efforts and the influence of travel anxiety on destination preferences.
Tourism marketing plays a vital role in shaping destination choices (Alam et al., 2023); (Houge Mackenzie & Kerr, 2013).Effective marketing campaigns can enhance destination image, promote positive associations, and alleviate travel anxiety by providing comprehensive and accurate information about the destination (Çolakoğlu et al., 2021).Strategies such as showcasing safety measures, providing detailed http://ejournal.bsi.ac.id/ejurnal/index.php/ecodemicaitineraries, and offering personalized recommendations can help alleviate anxiety and instill confidence in potential travelers.By understanding the impact of marketing on destination choice, tourism marketers can develop targeted campaigns that address the specific concerns of individuals with travel anxiety and promote destinations as desirable and accessible options (Osland et al., 2017); (Mackett, 2021).
Travel uneasiness essentially influences vacationers' location decisions.For developing effective marketing strategies that address travel anxiety and promote desirable destinations to potential travelers, it is essential to comprehend the factors influencing destination choice, previous research on the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice, and the role of tourism marketing in influencing these choices.
Research Aim: This study examines the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice and its implications for tourism marketing.Research Objectives: 1. To explore the factors contributing to travel anxiety among tourists.2. To investigate the impact of travel anxiety on tourists' decision-making process for destination choice.
3. Identify tourism marketers' strategies to address travel anxiety and promote destination choices.4. To examine the effectiveness of tourism marketing techniques in alleviating travel anxiety and influencing destination choices. 5. To give bits of knowledge and suggestions to the travel industry advertisers to foster designated promoting techniques given grasping travel nervousness and its relationship with the objective decision.
The following are the research questions: 1.How did participants' travel anxiety influence their destination choices, and what factors played a significant role in their decision-making process? 2. What were the main themes and patterns identified in participants' experiences and perceptions regarding travel anxiety and its influence on destination choices? 3. Could you provide some illustrative quotes or examples from participants that support the identified themes and patterns related to their experiences and perceptions of travel anxiety and its impact on destination choices?

Overview of the study structure
The review named "Analyzed the Connection between Movement Tension and Objective Decision: Marketing in the tourism industry: According to Filimonau & Perez (Filimonau & Perez, 2019), the aim of "A Qualitative Study" is to investigate the connection between travel anxiety and destination selection as well as its implications for tourism marketing.The review utilizes a personal exploration plan to acquire top-to-bottom knowledge of the encounters and impressions of people with movement tension.The study identifies themes and patterns related to travel anxiety and its influence on destination selection through interviews and thematic analysis.The discoveries add to the current writing on movement nervousness and give commonsense ramifications to the travel industry advertisers in planning procedures to mitigate uneasiness and advance helpful objections (Hoffart et al., 2023).

Research Method
The research employed a qualitative design to gain in-depth insights into the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice.Qualitative research is well-suited for exploring complex phenomena and understanding individuals' experiences, perceptions, and motivations (Merriam & Tisdell, 2015).This approach allowed for a detailed examination of participants' subjective experiences about travel anxiety and destination selection.Participants were selected through purposive sampling, targeting individuals who have experienced travel anxiety.Recruitment was done through various online forums, social media groups, and travel-related communities.Age, gender, prior travel experience, and preferred destinations were all considered when selecting participants based on the inclusion criteria.According to Merriam & Grenier, (2019), the study recruited twenty participants.http://ejournal.bsi.ac.id/ejurnal/index.php/ecodemicaSemi-organized interviews were directed as the essential technique for information assortment.The interviews focused on the participants' experiences, perceptions, and decision-making processes regarding travel anxiety and destination selection.Participants could freely express their opinions, feelings, and ideas in response to open-ended questions.Examining questions were utilized to dig further into explicit viewpoints and accumulate more extravagant information.The qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.The examination followed an efficient course of distinguishing, coding, and deciphering subjects and examples inside the information (Braun & Clarke, 2006).In order to familiarize oneself with the data, the interviews were transcribed precisely, and the transcripts were then read and reread.The initial codes were created, and then they were arranged into potential themes.The topics were checked on and refined through iterative conversations among the scientists.At long last, the subjects were characterized and upheld with explanatory statements from the meetings.
Consequently, the subjective methodology, member determination, interviews, and topical investigation are considered a thorough investigation of the connection between movement uneasiness and objective decision.The picked strategies gave rich and nuanced information, empowering a more profound comprehension of members' encounters and viewpoints is fundamental (Vivian Thangaraj et al., 2020).

Presentation of the qualitative findings related to travel anxiety and destination choice
The qualitative findings on travel anxiety and destination choice shed light on the perceptions, experiences, and experiences of people who suffer from travel anxiety and how it affects how they make decisions.Several key themes and patterns emerged through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, providing valuable insights into the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choices.This table summarizes these qualitative findings, supported by illustrative quotes from participants and relevant citations from previous research (Karl et al., 2015).By examining these findings, researchers and tourism professionals can better understand the complexities surrounding travel anxiety and its implications for destination marketing strategies.Sources: Processing, 2023 The qualitative findings on travel anxiety and destination choice, presented in the table, offer valuable insights into the preferences and decision-making processes of individuals with travel anxiety.These findings highlight the importance of factors such as familiarity, perceived safety, and the influence of online reviews in shaping destination choices for anxious travelers.Understanding these dynamics can inform effective destination marketing strategies and support the creation of anxiety-reducing experiences for travelers (Filimonau & Perez, 2019).

Recognizable proof of topics and examples in members' encounters and discernments
Distinguishing topics and examples in members' encounters and discernments regarding travel uneasiness and objective decision gives essential bits of knowledge into the intricacies of this relationship.A http://ejournal.bsi.ac.id/ejurnal/index.php/ecodemicadeeper understanding emerges by analyzing participants' quotes and aligning them with relevant research evidence.These themes include the influence of familiarity and perceived safety, the avoidance of crowded or chaotic destinations, and the reliance on online reviews and recommendations.This examination enhances our understanding of the factors shaping travel anxiety and destination choices (Filimonau & Perez, 2019).

Reliance on Online Reviews and Recommendations
"I spend hours reading reviews and recommendations to ensure that others had positive experiences and felt safe.It helps alleviate my anxiety."(Participant 3) (Yi et al., 2022) Source: Processing, 2023 The quotes provided by the participants illustrate their experiences and perceptions related to the identified themes.These themes are further supported by relevant research evidence: (Zhao et al., 2021) highlight the significance of familiarity and perceived safety as coping mechanisms for individuals with travel anxiety.(Yi et al., 2022) emphasize the reliance on online reviews and recommendations to mitigate travel anxiety and make informed destination choices.By presenting both participants' quotes and research evidence, the table provides a comprehensive overview of the identified themes and their support in the existing literature.It underscores the importance of participants' experiences and aligns them with scholarly findings, contributing to a richer understanding of the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice.

Illustrative quotes or examples to support the findings
Including illustrative quotes from participants and supporting research evidence enhances our understanding of the identified themes related to travel anxiety and destination choice.These quotes provide firsthand insights into participants' experiences and perceptions, corroborating the findings and contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the topic.The quotes from the participants provide firsthand insights into their experiences and perceptions related to the identified themes.The following research evidence supports these quotes: (Yang & Nair, 2015) emphasize the significance of familiarity and perceived safety as coping mechanisms for individuals with travel anxiety.(Abubakar & Ilkan, 2016) Highlight the reliance on online reviews and recommendations to obtain reassurance and information for anxiety reduction.http://ejournal.bsi.ac.id/ejurnal/index.php/ecodemicaBy presenting these illustrative quotes and relevant research evidence, the table offers a comprehensive and well-supported understanding of the identified themes and their alignment with existing scholarly findings.

Discussion
The interpretation of the findings in this study aligns with existing literature on travel anxiety and destination choice.The theme of familiarity and perceived safety resonates with previous research emphasizing the role of familiar environments in reducing anxiety (Yang & Nair, 2015).Avoiding crowded or chaotic destinations also aligns with situational avoidance as a coping strategy for individuals with travel anxiety (Humagain & Singleton, 2021).The reliance on online reviews and recommendations reflects the growing influence of user-generated content in shaping travel decisions (Johnson, 2019).The findings have significant implications for tourism marketing strategies.By recognizing the importance of familiarity and perceived safety, destination marketers can emphasize these aspects in their promotional materials to appeal to individuals with travel anxiety.Highlighting less crowded or off-peak seasons can attract anxious travelers seeking a calmer environment.Furthermore, leveraging positive online reviews and testimonials can build trust and alleviate anxiety by providing reassurance and social proof (Seabrook et al., 2016).
Tourism stakeholders should consider the following recommendations to address travel anxiety and promote destination choice.First, providing comprehensive and accurate information about destination safety measures can help alleviate concerns.Second, offering tailored travel packages or itineraries for individuals with anxiety, such as guided tours or secluded accommodations, can create a more comfortable experience.Third, incorporating relaxation and mindfulness activities into travel experiences can assist anxious travelers in managing their anxiety levels (Le & Bui, 2022).It is essential to acknowledge that this study does have some limitations.First, the research's qualitative nature restricts its generalizability.Quantitative methods could be used in future studies to investigate the prevalence and severity of travel anxiety in larger samples.
Additionally, the study focused on a specific demographic and geographic region, potentially limiting the applicability of findings to other populations and contexts.Future research should include diverse participant profiles and explore cross-cultural variations in travel anxiety and destination choice.Finally, considering the dynamic nature of travel anxiety, longitudinal studies can provide insights into the stability of preferences over time and the impact of interventions on reducing anxiety (Miller et al., 2017).
In conclusion, the relevance and significance of the identified themes are emphasized by interpreting the findings in light of the existing literature.The ramifications for the travel industry advertising systems feature the potential for designated ways to deal with draw-in and oblige restless voyagers.The proposals set forth give good moves toward addressing travel tension and improving objective decisions.However, it is essential to acknowledge the study's limitations and encourage additional research better to comprehend travel anxiety and its effects on tourism (Jiang et al., 2023).

Conclusion
This qualitative study investigated the link between travel anxiety and destination choice.The key findings unveiled significant themes and patterns.Participants preferred familiar destinations and perceived safety as a strategy to alleviate anxiety.They also tended to avoid crowded or chaotic destinations.Furthermore, participants heavily relied on online reviews and recommendations to gather reassurance and make well-informed decisions.These findings contribute to understanding the intricate relationship between travel anxiety and destination choices.By acknowledging these factors, the tourism industry can tailor marketing strategies to cater to anxious travelers, emphasizing familiarity, safety, and the influence of online information sources.http://ejournal.bsi.ac.id/ejurnal/index.php/ecodemicaBy providing in-depth insights into the experiences and perceptions of people with travel anxiety, this study adds to the existing literature on travel anxiety and destination selection.The identified themes support the significance of familiarity, perceived safety, and the role of online information sources.This study adds a qualitative dimension to our understanding of travel anxiety and its implications for destination marketing strategies by capturing participants' perspectives.
The tourism sector will benefit greatly from this study's findings.Tourism marketers can develop individualized strategies by recognizing the preferences and concerns of people with travel anxiety.Positive online reviews, promoting off-peak seasons, and emphasizing safe, familiar destinations can entice and reassure anxious travelers.These people's well-being can be further improved by including activities that help them relax and reduce anxiety in their travel experiences.By addressing travel anxiety and providing a supportive environment, destinations can foster positive experiences and establish relationships with anxious travelers that last a lifetime.In addition, the findings emphasize the importance of destination marketers prioritizing transparent and accurate communication regarding safety measures.By providing resources and direction to anxious travelers, collaborations with mental health professionals or travel anxiety support networks can also contribute to destination marketing efforts.
In conclusion, this study's qualitative investigation has illuminated the relationship between travel anxiety and destination choice.The identified themes and patterns provide valuable insights into individuals' preferences and decision-making processes with travel anxiety.By recognizing these factors, the tourism industry can develop effective strategies to address travel anxiety, attract anxious travelers, and create anxietyreducing experiences.Further research and collaboration across disciplines will continue to enhance our understanding of travel anxiety and its implications for the tourism industry, ultimately leading to improved services and support for anxious travelers.

Table 3 ."
Presenting illustrative quotes from participants that support the identified findings, along with the relevant research evidence: Themes and Patterns Participants' Quotes Supporting Evidence Familiarity and Perceived Safety "I feel more comfortable going to places I have been before because I know what to expect, and it reduces my anxiety."(Participant 1) (Yang & Nair, 2015)"Exploring new destinations can be overwhelming for me.I prefer sticking to places I know are safe and familiar.The thought of navigating through crowded tourist spots makes me anxious.I try to avoid those places to maintain my peace of mind."choose off-peak seasons to visit destinations to avoid the chaos and crowds.It helps me enjoy my trip without feeling overwhelmed."(Participant 5) rely on online reviews and recommendations to ensure that others had positive experiences and felt safe.It gives me a sense of reassurance."

Table 1 .
Presenting the qualitative findings related to travel anxiety and destination choice, along with supporting evidence from participants:

Table 2 .
Presentation of the identified themes and patterns in participants' experiences and perceptions, supported by both their quotes and relevant research evidence: