Low Versus High Sensation-seeking Tourists: A Study of Backpackers' Experience Risk Perception

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships between the personality trait of sensation seeking and backpackers' risk perceptions by relying on a survey of 579 Israeli students who experienced backpacking. Some of the findings suggest that sensation seeking and travel risk perceptions are negatively correlated. For example, backpackers who were characterized as high social stimulus seekers were less concerned with socially oriented threats, such as crowded and commercialized places. However, other findings indicate that the relationships between the two concepts are more complex and might not be negatively correlated. For instance, the findings also indicate that the respondents were concerned about risks they were most likely to confront, given their anticipated behavior and nature of experiences that might be determined by their personality trait of sensation seeking.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)81-92
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Journal of Tourism Research
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2013

Keywords

  • Backpacking
  • Risk perceptions
  • Sensation seeking

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Transportation
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
  • Nature and Landscape Conservation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Low Versus High Sensation-seeking Tourists: A Study of Backpackers' Experience Risk Perception'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this