To travel or not? Developing the distinct construct of travel avoidance

In cascading global crises, many individuals are abstaining from travel on purpose. This paper theorizes travel avoidance as a rising behavioral phenomenon and demonstrates its distinctiveness from the lack of intention to travel. We revisit previous studies to streamline the conceptualization of travel avoidance and establish that it can be driven by various external factors perceived as potential harm or threat. Furthermore, we develop a Travel Avoidance measurement in two formats: Short-term Travel Avoidance (STA) and General Travel Avoidance (GTA) tested in one empirical context (a health crisis). Across three large online studies, we first derived travel avoidance (UK; N = 1101); then confirmed that it influences (while being distinct from) the intention to travel using a different sample (Austria; N = 1106). Finally, assessing this construct in a third country-setting (France, N = 1083) capturing self-reported real-life behavior. The construct and validated scales are transferable and efficient to capture travel avoidance in other contexts. • Travel avoidance conceptually differs from a simple decrease in travel intentions. • This paper therefore develops and validates the Travel Avoidance concept. • It distinguishes General and Short-Term Travel Avoidance (GTA and STA). • We operationalized and developed a measurement to capture Travel Avoidance. • The predictive and nomological validity of the concept was confirmed in 3 studies.