THE PERCEPTION OF RISK IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND ITS EFFECT ON EGYPT

Abstract

Tourism is one of the most fragile and ever-changing industries, easily affected by different factors of risk that can negatively impact it. Depending on the magnitude of the risk and its consequences, it can easily affect tourists¿ perception and their decision-making when choosing a travel destination. Cheng and Zhang (2012) define risk perception as being ¿the intuitive and subjective judgments of potential risk factors that appear in the tourism process for tourists¿ while Mowen and Minor (1998) mention that this is ¿an overall negative course of action perceived by customers based upon possible negative outcomes and the outcomes will occur.¿ As it is, people¿s perception is influenced by many factors and events, such as terrorism, political instability, and crime. These factors are only amplified by social media and news nowadays when information is the most accessible nowadays and it can change how people perceive certain destinations and their decision to travel there or not. The study¿s focus is to define and analyze risk and risk perception, the type of risks, factors that greatly influence this perception, and its effects on the tourist and tourism industry and applied to the case of Egypt. Apart from a theoretical point of view and a deeper look into Egypt¿s history and tourism, a survey will further provide information about how people perceive risks and how important it is for their decision to travel, which will be the final step in the research.