Religion and perceived travel risks

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the effects of religion on perceived risks associated with travel to China. A sample of 223 international travelers answered questions about the travel risks associated with travel to China, their religious affiliation, and the strength of their religious beliefs—their religiosity. A principal components analysis identified five risk dimensions: “Value risk,” “Physical/Psychological risk,” “Health risk,” “Terrorism/Social risk,” and “Equipment/Satisfaction risk.” Regression analyses identified statistically significant positive relationships between religiosity and perceived travel risks while holding experience constant. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and a series of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests revealed significant differences in the perceived travel risks across religious affiliations. Across all five risk dimensions, travelers who reported a religious affiliation perceived more risk than nonreligious travelers did. Religiosity, religious affiliation, and the perceived risk dimensions also discriminated among preferred travel styles for a future trip to China. Implications of the study's results are discussed, and limitations and recommendations for future research presented.

Keywords:

• Religion
• religiosity
• perceived risk
• China