Perceived Risks and Risk Coping Strategy in International Travel: A Literature Review

Abstract

Perceived risk and its management play a significant role in shaping individuals' travel decision-making processes and are often considered constraints on travel experiences. This study reviews related literature over the past decade, focusing on perceived risk and associated coping strategies in international travel contexts, and proposes future research directions. The articles were reviewed from six perspectives: 1) journal and yearly distribution, 2) methods and data, 3) topic and theory, 4) samples, geographical locations, and tourism settings, 5) types of perceived risk, and 6) components of risk coping strategies. The findings reveal that most studies in this area focus on identifying risk perceptions generally associated with travel, the relationship between perceived risk and behavioral intention and destination image, and tourists' risk coping strategies. The quantitative approach is predominant, and multinational samples are most often examined. Health risks, particularly COVID-19 and physical risks, are the most explored risk typology. The findings suggest the importance of future research obtaining an understanding of how individuals from different demographic groups navigate and manage perceived risks when traveling abroad. By summarizing the research trends and identifying different dimensions, perceived risks, and coping strategies, this study helps build a comprehensive understanding of the related conceptual landscape.