Tourism and risk: a study into tourist’s perceptions of risk on holiday in comparison with everyday life

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether people’s perceptions of the
inherent risks associated with activities was affected, positively or
negatively, when they were on holiday. To this end, a survey was
conducted asking questions about what activities were undertaken on the
participant’s last holiday, what activities the participant undertakes whilst
at home, what holiday destinations were considered by the participant to be
unsafe, what activities were considered by the participant to be unsafe, as
well as basic background questions about age, sex, ethnicity and
occupation.
The results do not show any evidence that tourists are more likely to
undertake more risky activities whilst on holiday in comparison with their
normal leisure activities at home. However, the results have identified that
males in the 20-24 age group are the most likely to undertake riskier
activities whilst on holiday. The mixed results from this study display the
subjective nature of risk perception, although they do support the findings
of other studies that young males are more likely to take risks that females
and males of other age groups.