Tourist’s Perceived Risk and Image of the Destinations Prone to Natural Disasters: The Case of Bali and Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Tourism has emerged as one of the largest and most rapidly growing economic sectors in the world. Nevertheless, many tourist destinations have been periodically confronted by natural disasters that threaten their survival as an industry by negatively impacting their image and safety perception. This research assessed tourists' perception of the risk and images of a destination that is considered prone to natural disasters, by surveying 537 tourists in Yogyakarta and Bali. This study contributes to the debate on tourism development issues related to negative perceptions and images that have discouraged prospective tourists from visiting affected destinations. The results of the survey indicated that the occurrence of past disasters did not strongly influence tourists' decision to visit Indonesia. Instead, the creation of the destination image was informed more by its current situation, and it is these current factors that may encourage or discourage potential tourists. These findings should signal to tourism planners that while environmental disasters are unavoidable, post-disaster rehabilitation of a destination's image would significantly increase its chances of rebounding quickly.

Revisit intention and satisfaction: The role of destination image, perceived risk, and cultural contact

“…Kozak et al (2007) found that countries' tourism and travel industries are impacted by poor safety and security. Based on Maslow's theory, Rindrasih (2018) concluded that higher needs such as self-fulfillment through travel cannot be satisfied when safety and security remains unfulfilled. Hence, risk and satisfaction are significant variables that enable the prediction of future behavioral intentions of consumers (Chen et al, 2017;Sohn et al, 2016).…”

“…Once tourists confront problems during their travels or tours, such people immediately generate a risk perception related to that tourist destination. Ultimately, dissatisfaction will emerge (Rindrasih, 2018) and lead to a decrease in the demand that can significantly affect the rate of revisit intention.…”

The effect of travel risk perception and destination image on visit decision in the new normal

“…Tourists were aware that natural disasters had occurred in Indonesia in the past. However, knowledge had little impact on their decision to visit Indonesia as first-time or return visitors (Rindrasih, 2018). This shows that the government and tourism managers restored the destination successfully.…”

A local destination story for the restoration of the destination image affected by Covid-19 crisis: evidence from Indonesia

“…Most travellers can access Yogyakarta by automobile and are located close to the capital city. Yogyakarta is famous for its natural beauty, local culture, and historical buildings, and is representative of Indonesia's scenery and vulnerability to natural disasters (Djalante, 2018;Rindrasih, 2018). Although the heritage tourism of Yogyakarta has been receiving government attention for a long time, the region's tourism industry is facing difficulties during the pandemic.…”