Perceived travel risks: the traveller perspective and manageability

Abstract

Although a large number of studies both in and out of the tourism literature have examined perceived risk, the risk categories utilized are often too broad and are not generated from the perspective of current and potential travellers. This defi ciency in the travel research is addressed in this study by asking more than 2,000 respondents to identify their concerns when travelling. All respondent concerns were content analyzed to derive ten travel-specifi c risks and the relationship of the identifi ed risks with demographic characteristics of the respondents was examined. The identifi cation of these potential and actual traveller-driven travel-risks allows tourism offi cials to better understand how to respond to alleviate traveller concerns and encourage travel.

Tourism, risk tolerance and competences: Travel organization and tourism hazards

“…Simpson and Siguaw (2008) did find a relationship in tourism, not between education and risk, but between income and perceptions of crime, transportation, and financial risks. However, Sönmez and Graefe (1998a) found that neither variable was a good predictor of risk perceptions, or travel, in respect of terrorism and political instability.…”

“…Indeed, Reisinger and Mavondo (2006), and Simpson and Siguaw (2008) contend there is a relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics of tourists and perceptions of travel risks, but Sönmez and Graefe (1998a) could not confirm these relationships. Key generic findings include:…”

Tourism at Risk: A Review of Risk and Perceived Risk in Tourism

“…There has been an increasing number of tourism studies on risk and safety since 1970s (Maser & Weiermair, 1998;Milman, Jones, & Bach, 1999;Pizam, 1999;Sirakaya, Sheppard, & McLellan, 1997;Sönmez, Apostolopoulos, & Tarlow, 1999;Sönmez & Graefe, 1998a, 1998bTsaur, Tzeng, & Wang, 1997;Wilks & Atherton, 1994). The term 'risk' was used extensively in tourism research after the 9/11 incident (Dickson & Dolnicar, 2004;Fuchs & Reichel, 2006;Korstanje, 2011;Law, 2006;Lepp & Gibson, 2003;Pizam et al, 2004;Quintal, Lee, & Soutar, 2010;Reisinger & Mavondo, 2005;Simpson & Siguaw, 2008;Williams & Baláž, 2013), followed by a couple of major tragedies including the SARS outbreak, the Bali bombings, and the Asian tsunami, which have shaken the tourism industry across the globe. The severity, frequency, and impact of these unprecedented tragedies have given rise to an increasing number of researches investigating the various aspects of risk in tourism.…”

The influence of hurricane risk on tourist destination choice in the Caribbean

“…For example, it has been suggested that learning theory may provide an explanation for certain differences in the way risk is perceived among different groups of people (Simpson and Siguaw 2008). Risk-aversion among older people may differ from younger people, as a consequence of greater personal life experiences or through the experience of learning from others (Simpson and Siguaw 2008).…”

“…For example, it has been suggested that learning theory may provide an explanation for certain differences in the way risk is perceived among different groups of people (Simpson and Siguaw 2008). Risk-aversion among older people may differ from younger people, as a consequence of greater personal life experiences or through the experience of learning from others (Simpson and Siguaw 2008). The reduced likelihood of choosing any given alternative holiday option over the status quo by tourists from the 'older and retired' group, is consistent with this, and with the finding that a preference for tourism-related risk can decrease with age (Gibson and Yiannakis 2002).…”