Moving the Travel Risk Literature Forward Conceptually and Operationally

Over the past three decades, the tourism literature has examined the role of risk perceptions in an effort to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence travel decision-making. However, there is increasing criticism of the travel risk literature (e.g., Korstanje 2011; Williams and Balaz 2015; Yang and Nair 2014). Criticisms have primarily focused on the conceptualization and operationalization of perceived risk. Based on the main criticisms of the travel risk literature, the purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, this paper seeks to move the travel risk literature forward conceptually by proposing a theory-based conceptual model. Second, this paper seeks to move the travel risk literature forward operationally by adapting survey items used to measure risk-related constructs in the fields of health behavior and psychology to the context of tourism. The main objective of this paper is to provide a strong theoretical foundation for destination risk management

Risk Communication in the Tourism Industry

This chapter focuses on risk communication in the tourism sector. Tourism organizations must communicate with a variety of stakeholders when conveying messages about impending severe weather or disasters, which are increasing due climate change and sea level rise. There is also an increased need to distribute information to tourism stakeholders about preparing for, continuing service during, and recovering from, disasters. Stakeholders involved with the tourism industry include business owners, government officials and tourists, all of whom have differing degrees of vulnerability in a destination when a threat occurs. Different messages regarding disaster preparation and recovery must be communicated to the different stakeholders, and often industry associations or convention and visitors’ bureaus are responsible for relaying these messages. The chapter provides an overview of previous research on risk communication. The authors then detail a case study about improving risk communication and information among tourism stakeholders in coastal Virginia. The chapter concludes with lessons for public officials, destination management organizations, and tourism business owners to improve their risk communication

Initial Steps Towards Understanding Advocacy Planning Efforts in the Tourism Industry

This study seeks to identify best practices in advocacy planning among tourism industry associations in order to help all associations deliver services to their members. This presentation utilizes interviews with tourism association members to reveal factors that tourism associations should consider when planning for advocacy efforts. Using co-management theory to guide the qualitative data analysis, findings will focus on factors such as participants, components of the advocacy plan, resources needed for planning, and how these factors relate to the plan’s perceived efficacy by those involved. By identifying best practices related to these factors the study aims to advance knowledge of advocacy planning and the effectiveness of advocacy efforts for the tourism industry

Empirically Testing the Influence of Travel Safety Concerns: Examining Alternative Models

Abstract Tourists’ risk perceptions and perceptions of safety are important topics within the tourism literature; however, the conceptual approaches to these concepts are inconsistent. Following the risk-as-feeling hypothesis, this study proposes that: perceived severity and perceived susceptibility could be considered as tourists’ cognitive risk perceptions; perceived safety could be considered as affective risk perceptions; efficacy beliefs should also be included within the theoretical framework. To clarify the underlying relationships between these variables, six conceptual models were developed and tested using data collected from 444 U.S. citizens. In the best fitting model, perceived safety mediated the relationship between one’s travel interest and travel intentions. This mediating relationship was moderated by cognitive risk perceptions and efficacy beliefs. The findings suggest that amplified cognitive risk perceptions may affect individuals’ perceived safety and subsequent travel decisions. Accordingly, destinations should promote safety measures for tourists during times of crisis and restore tourists’ confidence in the destination. Keywords Tourism Crisis Management; Perceived Safety; Risk Perceptions; Travel Decisions; Risk-as-Feeling Hypothesi

Lessons Learnt from the Westgate Shopping Mall Terrorist Attack in Nairobi, Kenya: Involving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Sector in Crisis Communications

The terrorist attacks in Nairobi Kenya have been widely disseminated by the world media, thus, affecting the long-term interests of stakeholders. The tourism industry is made up of a vast number of these stakeholders, with the operating sector alone including the accommodation, tourism services, transportation, entertainment, food services, adventure and outdoor recreation, attractions, meetings, incentive, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE), and travel trade sectors. Within each operating sector, there is also a variety of different stakeholders in various segments and organisations. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine tourism crisis communications surrounding the Westgate Shopping Mall attacks in Kenya. The main research question which guided this study was: did tourism communications surrounding the Westgate Shopping Mall attacks follow best practices for tourism crisis communications? Accordingly, this paper used participant observation to highlight communications surrounding the attacks from the perspective of a conference planner and a conference attendee

Influence of residue management on soil chemical properties and nutrient flux in forests harvested for woody biomass

Altered soil solution chemistry and nutrient flux within forests harvested for woody biomass may result from disturbance, slash removals, slash decomposition, and mineralization. Because of the potential adverse effects of woody biomass harvest to soil nutrient pools and overall soil quality, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) to retain coarse woody residues associated with biomass harvesting to retain nutrient capital and sustain forest productivity. However, these BMPs remain untested. To investigate the potential impacts of woody biomass harvest and use of BMPs to mitigate deleterious effects, this study examined soil nutrient concentrations and nutrient flux in Missouri Ozark forest soils immediately following harvest to 1.5 years post-harvest. The eight treatments investigated were Missouri’s 1/3 harvest residue retention BMP for thinning and commercial biomass harvests and alternative harvest scenarios. Chemical properties of soils within the harvest treatments were quantified immediately after harvest and one year post-harvest, and analysis of variance results are presented. Total organic carbon (TOC) was the only dependent variable that was affected by harvest treatment (p-value = 0.0467); where TOC content for clearcut A (Missouri’s BMP) and clearcut B (removal of all biomass) were significantly greater than for clearcut C (alternative BMP). Changes in nutrient flux were monitored using Plant Root Simulator (PRS[superscript TM]) ion exchange membrane probes provided by Western Ag Innovations. Nutrient flux dynamics differed for the nutrients measured within harvest treatments and at two different depths. Results indicate greater nutrient flux in the clearcut treatments compared to the intermediate thinning and control treatments for specific ionic species measured (NH[subscript 4][superscript +], NO[subscript 3][superscript -], P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, and B). Litter decomposition plays a major role in the cycling of energy and nutrients in woodland ecosystems. The influence of woody biomass harvest scenarios were investigated during a one year litterbag experiment in an oak-hickory forest of the Missouri Ozarks. Total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC), C:N ratio, and percent mass loss of leaf litter material were analyzed and compared amongst eight harvest treatments. Percent mass loss was positively correlated to total nitrogen. Treatment type and decomposition time had a significant effect on TN (p = 0.0474 and p < 0.0001 respectively). When comparing the effect of treatment on TN, clearcut B (removal of all biomass) was significantly lower than the control, intermediate A, clearcut A, (current 1/3 BMP) and clearcut C (alternative BMP). To semi-quantitatively assess how decomposition processes vary in leaf litter material across different harvesting treatments, solid-state [superscript 13]C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with cross-polarization and magic-angle spinning (CPMAS-NMR) technique was applied to analyze the organic C dynamics of mixed leaf litter. The type of harvest treatment had a significant effect on the alkyl-C concentration (p = 0.0411), and on the aromatic-C concentration (p = 0.0071). Significant decreases were seen in the total aliphatic C functional groups amongst clearcut treatments compared to intermediate and control treatments. A significant interactive effect of treatment type and decomposition time was found for the concentrations of the alkyl-C, O-alkyl-C, and aromatic-C functional groups, indicating that the change in concentration of these functional groups with decomposition time was significantly different among the different harvest treatments. This research will enhance our understanding of nutrient cycling in a forested ecosystem following a woody biomass harvest, which will aid in maintaining sustainable nutrient concentrations and long-term site productivity. To ensure long-term sustainability and forest productivity, it is recommended to use the current Missouri BMPs or the alternative BMP (retain tops of all cut trees ≥ 20 cm dbh; remove boles, tops and limbs of all cut trees ≤ 20 cm dbh). Overall, the biomass guidelines supplement existing forestry rules and guidelines, encourage forest health and productivity, and enhance the full suite for ecological values. The current BMP and alternative BMP provide an opportunity to suggest alternative harvesting techniques, besides the traditional sawlog harvest, to high grading and damaging practices on the long-term health of the forest ecosystem

The Effects of Social Media Usage on Travel Information Searching and Travel Experience Sharing

The study examined the different impacts of the use of social media in travel planning and travel experience sharing. Data for this study were generated by surveys to an online panel of respondents. A total of 543 completed surveys were used. The results indicated that different social media have different impacts on both travel planning and travel experience sharing following the trip. This study demonstrated the significance of examining different social media in order to understand its role in constructing travel consumption behaviors. Finally, recommendations are presented

Examining whether exposure to external information influences perceptions of increased crime at an Olympic Games host destination: The case of London 2012

Risks associated with the Olympic Games have been studied; however, there is a lack of research that empirically examines whether exposure to external information influences prospective tourists’ destination risk perceptions. A survey of 1,200 British, Australian, and Canadian residents was conducted to examine factors that influence prospective tourists’ perceptions of increased crime in London during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The age group 55-64 was a significant predictor, while other age groups, income, and gender were not significant predictors. While controlling for demographics, past experience traveling to London and attending the Games were not significant predictors. Travel advisories and reading about the London riots were significant predictors, while watching television coverage of the riots and reading social media messages related to crises in London were not significant predictors while controlling for demographics and past experience. Lastly, travel risk perceptions were a significant predictor, while controlling for the previous independent variables

Do Cultural Differences Influence Tourists’ Likelihood to Seek Information Via Social Media in the Event of a Crisis?

This study examined the influence of the cultural backgrounds of international travelers on the likelihood to turn to social media to seek information if a crisis were to occur while traveling. Data for this study were generated by surveys from an online panel of international respondents from South Korea, China, India, Australia, and Brazil. A total of 2,416 completed surveys were used. The results indicated that travelers from different countries varied in their likelihood to seek information via social media during a crisis. Tourists from South Korea were found to be the most likely to access social media to find information about a crisis while traveling. The different cultures also had different preferred sources for seeking information during a crisis. This study demonstrated the significance of examining the influence of characteristics on the potential use of social media during a crisis. Implications and recommendations are presented