Solo Female Travellers' Risk Perceptions and Risk Reduction Strategies - As Expressed in Online Travel Blog Narratives

Abstract: Production of risks has emerged as one dominating process of contemporary society, and consciousness towards risk is increasing continuously. Travelling being a common practice in today’s society suggests that also participation in travel entails increasing risk, and that risk perceptions are inevitable part of the tourism experience. Therefore, the study aims at finding out what kind of risk perceptions female solo travellers have, and how these risk perceptions are reduced through risk reduction strategies. The primary data consists of travel blog narratives, which are analysed through coding and qualitative text analysis, in order to provide answers to the above mentioned inquiries. The results reveal that female solo travellers perceive both; their gender and their decision to travel solo, to have an influence on their risk perceptions. Especially gendered risks in relation to sexual- and physical harm are perceived to be heightened when travelling alone as a female. The results also reveal female solo travellers to engage in various risk reduction strategies, in pursuance of reducing perceived risks. Examining these risk perceptions and risk reduction strategies can provide valuable information to actors in many levels of society, from organizations working in tourism to individuals contemplating risks involved in travelling, as well as provide insights about society in general.