EXPLORING THE FEAR OF TRAVEL: STUDY REVEALING INTO TOURIST´ MINDS

Abstract

The present research explores the biographies of three travel agents. Two of them developed a fear of travelling while one does not. Combining the attachment theory contributions with risk perception we conclude that demographic variables do not correlate with risk perception. Rather, the traumatic experiences or the lost of relatives offers a fertile ground to explain why peoples (even travel experts) keep a phobia to travels. One of the primary conclusions we found, is that profession is not a catalyst for risk. Tour operators who are familiar with the organization of travel may experience fear at the time they have to move. As the theory of attachment formulated by Bowlby put it, death or the loss of a love object as well as the way mourning is resolved, seem to show a strong correlation to risk perception.