Effects of religiosity and travel desire on COVID-19 vaccination intention

Despite the deadly consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitation remains a threat to public health and international travel. This study tests the effect of Muslim religiosity on belief-based attitudes (i.e., subjective norms, perceived behavioural control) and travel desire as a proxy for COVID-19 vaccination intentions. The structural model was tested using PLS-SEM with the data collected via a self-administrated survey between April and June 2021 in Saudi Arabia (N=759). Results reveal that travel desire along with belief-based attitudes influence COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Intrinsic religiosity influences individuals’ subjective norms, directly and perceived behavioural control and COVID-19 vaccination intentions indirectly through attitudes and subjective norms. Extrinsic religiosity influences individuals’ subjective norms and travel desire directly, as well as COVID-19 vaccination intentions indirectly through subjective norms and travel desire. The research provides insightful implications for government officials, one such implication could be engaging in discussion with religious leaders to formulate and disseminate COVID-19 related health messages.