The perceived risks of traveling overseas : evidence from Korea

Abstract

This article investigated destination-related risk perceptions among two groups of Korean residents: those who have no previous experience of overseas travel and those who have traveled overseas but not to Australia. An analysis of 810 respondents to a questionnaire-based survey concluded that the two groupings view Australia as less risky than international destinations generally. Both respondent groupings cited financial risks as a strong deterrent to overseas travel, although inexperienced travelers expressed more concern about the prospective culture-related risks associated with travel to Australia. Experienced travelers expressed a lesser likelihood of encountering crime during a trip to Australia than in the case of other destinations, whereas inexperienced travelers perceived alternative destinations as equally risky, perhaps indicative of their incapacity to discriminate. The findings suggest that the experience of overseas travel increases awareness of the potential dangers and hazards that may be encountered in destination settings, which generates perceptions of risk that are closer to reality. It is suggested that tourism authorities should take note of this and direct scarce resources toward prospective market segments who have more realistic views about the destination.