Project Description
There is a general assumption that tourists tend to be risk averse, and peace and security are preconditions for tourism. However, dangerous places can deter but also attract people. Conflict tourism as touristic activities taking place at a destination that is somehow conflicted in terms of war and political instability is a relatively new phenomenon. This thesis aims to find out how perceived risks and uncertainties in conflict tourism destinations influence the process of choosing a conflict tourism destination. Risks and uncertainties, push and pull factors, the decision-making process and voluntary risk-taking were examined. The results demonstrate that perceived risks and uncertainties lead people to take certain actions in the process of choosing a conflict tourism destination. Visiting conflict tourism destinations was found not to necessarily be a form of voluntary risk-taking, rather there were contextual factors that influenced this decision such as timing and finding local contacts. Overall, tourists are aware of the risks that come with such travels and act on this before leaving for their journey, demonstrating the interaction between risks and uncertainties and choosing a conflict tourism destination. Nevertheless, the overall experience of participants was perceived very positively. Because in the end, risk is everywhere.
Author: A. Roelofs (2019)
