Changes in Recreational Tourism: A Thematic Analysis During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Aftermath

In contemporary society, marked by a rapid and dynamic lifestyle, individuals demonstrate an increased propensity for choosing vacations involving leisurely activities and immersing themselves in natural surroundings. The adoption of modern lifestyles has also been on the rise due to the diversity of global trends in recreational tourism. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new set of societal norms, including practices such as social distancing, lockdowns, and guidelines for outdoor activities. The emergence of this novel pandemic has brought about changes in social engagements, particularly in the domains of recreation and tourism. This study aimed to explore the changes in recreational activities within the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Using thematic analysis, a total of 67 publications between 2020 and 2023 on the impacts of COVID-19 on recreational tourism were synthesized from three journal databases, namely Emerald Insights, Scopus, and Science Direct. The findings derived from the analysis of code-to-document using ATLAS.ti 8 indicated that prior studies had placed significant emphasis on socio-psychological, economic, environmental, and governmental concerns. This study serves as the foundation for future comprehensive research focused on enhancing recreational activities within the tourism sector, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.