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Joo Young Kim

Postdoc

Subjects
Consumer behaviour Customers Tourism Artificial intelligence Climate Psychology

Primary research areas

Evolutionary psychology in tourism

Examining how mating motives, childhood socioeconomic status, and environmental risks influence destination choice, travel intentions, and insurance decisions.

Climate, emotion & sustainable luxury

Studying how climate salience and emotional responses influence preferences across luxury hospitality formats.

Experimental studies

Mainly using experimental design and data analysis to examine AI’s influence on travel decisions, scarcity framing, travel well-being (including sleep), and travel-risk management prompts.

I investigate fundamental differences in traveller behaviour.

I am a consumer psychologist dedicated to improving travellers’ well-being and the overall quality of their journeys. My research examines how human behaviour, biological dispositions, emotions, and emerging technologies shape travel decisions, with the aim of fostering healthier, more enjoyable, and more meaningful experiences. 

By investigating how decision uncertainty, biological traits, environmental awareness, and digital tools influence choices, my work generates practical insights that help tourism operators and service providers design experiences that enhance well-being, reduce stress, and encourage responsible travel. Ultimately, I seek to translate psychological research into tangible improvements in the quality of travel, supporting a tourism sector that benefits both individuals and society at large.