Resumen de The Mediating Role of Sensation Seeking on the Relationship Between Risk Perceptions and Travel Behavior

Mona Sharifpour, Gabrielle Walters, Brent Ritchie

• Previous tourism research recognizes the positive role that risk may play in arousing individuals' interests to engage in certain activities or to visit destinations assumed to be risky. However, limited research has been devoted to expand our understanding of the nature of the relationship between sensation seeking and tourist risk perceptions. This research aimed to investigate the mediating role of sensation seeking that indirectly influences the relationships between individuals' risk perception and their decision behavior. The results suggest that individuals' sensation-seeking propensity may play a significant role in tolerating some risk types, particularly those associated with physical harm, and accordingly it can increase their willingness to travel to regions perceived to be risky. This research makes an original contribution to the field through the application of an empirical confirmatory approach while suggesting implications for practitioners.