Instructors’ Perspectives on Risk Management within Adventure Tourism

Abstract

Existing research on risk management in adventure tourism has primarily focused on the participant's motivation, perception and experience of taking part in the risky activities. Within this research strand, injuries and fatalities caused by participation in adventure tourism have been consistently examined and policy-making mechanisms discussed to prevent their future occurrence. This study adopts a different perspective as it explores how risk is perceived and managed by instructors. Better understanding of this topic should enhance future risk management strategies in adventure tourism, thus improving safety and well-being of both participants and instructors. The outcome of a qualitative study conducted with adventure tourism operators in Dorset, UK, shows that the increased popularity of the industry has caused companies to take advantage of profit margins. There is evidence that instructors cut corners when managing risks which raises the probability of accidents as a result. The study outlines a number of areas for policy-making intervention required to enhance the quality of risk management practices in adventure tourism. These include the need for policy reinforcement of the safety standards; specialist training opportunities made available to instructors; and regular qualification re-assessment exercises.2 Keywords: Adventure tourism; Risk management; Instructor; Managerial perspective; Planning. 3 Highlights• We explore risk management in adventure tourism from the standpoint of instructors • We find that, as the industry grows and consumer demand intensifies, instructors cut corners when managing risks • There is a need for policy reinforcement of risk management in adventure tourism to enhance safety of participants and instructors • Specialist training opportunities and regular qualification re-assessment exercises are also

Adventure or amusement? Image and identity challenges for the aerial adventure industry and implications for positioning and policy

“…However, according to the data and the literature, contrary to amusement rides, some responsibility still resides with the participants in the AAI, in light of the level of participation required (Clinch & Filimonau, 2017;Mathisen, 2019). Responsibility would seem to be shared in this case between the operator and the participant, when responsibility is placed largely on the operator of amusement rides.…”

“…The human factor would appear to play a much greater role in risk management than compared to amusement rides. Recent research has recognised the impact on risk management the behaviour of staff and participants has within adventure tourism (Clinch and Filimonau, 2017;Wang et al, 2019;Mathisen, 2019). Whilst aerial adventure parks thrive on the element of perceived risks, similarly to commercial adventure tourism (Rantala et al, 2018;, actual risks still remain if not managed appropriately, with particular emphasis on the human factor.…”

“…"Adventure" implies action, meaning this is not a passive experience, but one which is engaging, absorbing and requires commitment, both mentally and physically, from the participant as they go through the activity and through interaction with staff (Rantala et al, 2018). Indeed, the roles of staff and participants in relation to risk management of commercial adventure tourism has already been highlighted in previous research (Clinch & Filimonau, 2017;Giddy, 2018;Wang et al, 2019). To the contrary, amusement rides are inherently more passive experiences (Holyfield, 1999).…”

“…Similar to AAPs, adventure tourism comes from a background of outdoor sports and recreation (Chen et al, 2017;Hall, 1992;Wagstaff, 2015). Much adventure tourism research has focussed on the motivations of participants and to date it is widely agreed upon that risk is essential to adventure, although much of this is perceived risk (Clinch & Filimonau, 2017;Rantala et al, 2018;UNWTO, 2014). Giddy & Webb (2016) described adventure tourism as activities involving risks, thus arguably supporting this argument.…”

“…Similarly to adventure tourism, the aim is to excite and elicit thrill of the participants, but in an excessive manner, allowing the participants to enjoy the ride with little-to-no influence on the activity, making for a more passive experience (Holyfield, 1999). On the other hand, adventure tourism provides exceedingly interactive activities, in which the role of the participant is more predominant (Clinch & Filimonau, 2017). Yet, commercialisation and changes to the role of the participant may have critical consequences with regards to risk management (Giddy, 2018;.…”