Galia Fuchs

Tourist Destination Risk Perception: The Case of Israel

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of destination risk perception by focusing on Israel. Based on numerous previous studies and expert opinions, a comprehensive “theory-based” questionnaire was designed. Data were collected from 760 tourists visiting Israel. The factor analysis revealed 6 factors: “human-induced risk,” “financial,” “service quality,” “socio-psychological,” “natural disaster and car accidents,” and “food safety problems and weather.” Additionally, the concept of overall destination risk perception was measured. The relationships between and among all risk factors is examined and conclusions are drawn in terms of measuring destination risk perceptions and future research.

Vacationing in a Terror-Stricken Destination: Tourists’ Risk Perceptions and Rationalizations

This exploratory study examines the destination risk perceptions and risk rationalizations of tourists who, despite governmental travel advisories, cross the border into a region previously and repeatedly targeted by terror attacks. Data were collected from Israeli tourists at the Israeli–Egyptian border in Eilat on their way to the Sinai Desert. A statistical analysis of 489 questionnaires indicated that “terrorism and security” issues constituted only one dimension of tourists’ perceived risk among several others. The tourists used numerous means of rationalization to justify their seemingly irrational behavior, such as blaming the media for overexposure of terror risks. Finally, the respondents’ risk perceptions were found to be correlated with their political orientation regarding the Israeli-Arab conflict. Further investigations in other areas of conflict, as well as among tourists of different cultures, are recommended.

Does Ethnic/Cultural Dissimilarity Affect Perceptions of Service Quality?

This article examined the issue of ethnic and cultural differences between service recipients and service providers and their impact on service quality perceptual evaluations (SQPs). The study analyzed responses of two samples of patients who consulted specialist physicians from a survey of 300 Israeli Jewish and 300 Israeli Arab respondents. For all respondents, the research constructed a measure of similarity between the service providers (the physicians) and the service receivers (the patients) based on whether the former belonged to the same ethnic or cultural communities as the service recipients. The results show that within the Israeli Jewish population (the majority population), service providers similarity was positively correlated with higher SQP scores. Similar results were not found for the Arab Israeli respondents (the minority social group). The results indicate that service recipients may seek quality “markers” for the services received by transferring their objective or subjective quality perceptions of the service providers to the SQPs themselves. The article then draws implications for service managers and for future research.

Scuba divers: the thrill of risk or the search for tranquility

ABSTRACT The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to gain insight into the motives, perceptions and behaviours of adventure tourists engaged in scuba diving, with the intent of revealing the nature of the experience sought by these tourists. Specifically, we examined whether there is a balance between the thrill of risk vs. the search for total relaxation and tranquility. In-depth interviews with scuba divers indicated that scuba diving represented a search for relaxation rather than the pursuit of risk. Even the divers who were well aware of the risks and of their fears, almost never explicitly expressed the possible fear-associated sensations of thrill and of adrenaline rush. New issues and motivations associated with scuba diving were identified, including the crucial role of the diving partner. A four-quadrant model for classifying scuba divers along the dimensions of tranquility and risk perception is presented as a means to integrate the various behaviours of the divers.