Although past research on natural disasters has investigated tourists’
perceptions and behaviours, few studies have explored residents’
attitudes, motivations and mindsets in rebuilding a destination after a
natural calamity. Building on consumer behaviour research, we examine
the role of the fresh start mindset as a psychological mechanism for
residents that must overcome the consequences of natural disasters in
tourist destinations. We conducted a quantitative study using a survey
with a sample of 460 residents of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain)
during the volcanic eruption of 2021. The results show that residents’
fresh start mindset influences post-disaster tourism activities and shapes
their perception of the positive and negative impacts of the tourism
industry
