RISK PERCEPTION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN DLSU-D AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO TRAVEL TO MINDANAO

Abstract

Since the 9/11 terrorist attack, risk perception has been one of the points of study in the context of tourism. The infamous day or occurrence, which led to a significant decline in travel demand, demonstrated the critical relevance of risk research in tourism. Previous research indicates that risk perception considerably influences travel behavior, particularly when considering terror-infested areas. However, the relationship between tourist risk perceptions and willingness to travel remains fragmented due to the variable nature of their association, as indicated by a few studies, which simultaneously revealed multiple dimensions of risk perception. The present study focuses on the five dimensions of perceived risks, namely Physical Risk, Financial Risk, Socio-Psychological Risk, Performance Risk, and Time Risk, and their relationship with the tourists’ willingness to travel. The purpose of this study is to determine whether risk perception affects undergraduate students at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas' willingness to travel to Mindanao. This quantitative study utilized a purposive sampling method to gather respondents. Their risk perceptions were measured using a questionnaire that experts validated. The results were analyzed using Spearman's Correlation, which indicated that all perceived risk dimensions, apart from time risk, had a negative and significant relationship to the willingness to travel to Mindanao of undergraduate students at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.