Rural tourism and inflation: changes in behaviour, intention to travel and spending on leisure trips

Abstract

The recent surge in inflation has had a profound impact on the tourism sector. This study investigates how inflation has altered the behaviour and spending patterns of rural tourists. It is essential to ascertain any changes that have occurred in the behaviour of rural tourists after inflation, since the existing literature is predictive and does not determine the profile of tourists whose budget has been affected by rising prices. To this end, we performed a descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Models on 1202 Andalusian rural tourists. The results confirm that tourists in rural destinations show special interest in travelling to this type of destination and reveal significant changes in their travel behaviour, including shorter trips, reduced spending and budget, and a preference for affordable cultural experiences. This research provides valuable insights for destination managers, governments and policymakers, allowing them to tailor their offer to attract higher-spending tourists.