Residents' fresh start mindset and attitudes towards tourism after a natural disaster: the case of the volcano in La Palma

Abstract

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