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Perceptions of personal risk in tourists’ destination choices: nature tours in Mexico

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  • Osland Gregory E.

    (Lacy School of Business, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208, United States of America, Tel. 317-940-9844)

  • Mackoy Robert

    (Lacy School of Business, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208, United States of America)

  • McCormick Marleen

    (Lacy School of Business, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208, United States of America)

Abstract

Terrorism, pandemic diseases, and other threatening events have recently heightened the sense of personal risk for tourists considering international travel. This article addresses the paucity of research assessing perceptions of risk both before and during travel to risky destinations. Tourists on two nature tours in Mexico were interviewed and observed while engaged in the travel. Many types of specific perceived risks were uncovered, including insect-borne disease, traffic accidents, financial losses, and unattained goals. Some correlates of perceived risk were tour company reputation, stage of family life cycle, age, and motivation. Based on the types of perceived risk and the factors, five propositions are discussed. One unexpected proposition addresses the role of age and states that as the perceived years of physical ability to travel decreases, the tolerance for safety risk increases. Another proposes that eco-tourists with intense, destination-specific motivations are more tolerant of travel risk than those with casual and/or social motivations. The article concludes with suggestions for tour industry managers and directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Osland Gregory E. & Mackoy Robert & McCormick Marleen, 2017. "Perceptions of personal risk in tourists’ destination choices: nature tours in Mexico," European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, Sciendo, vol. 8(1), pages 38-50, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ejothr:v:8:y:2017:i:1:p:38-50:n:2
    DOI: 10.1515/ejthr-2017-0002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vucenovic, Danijel & Klimoska Milenkovska, Angela & Manestar, Dino, 2020. "Do Tourist Percept Croatia As A Safe Tourist Destination? Presentation Of The Empirical Evidence," UTMS Journal of Economics, University of Tourism and Management, Skopje, Macedonia, vol. 11(1), pages 80-92.

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