Fear by Design: How Language, Communication and Narratives Shape Perceived Risk and Influence Tourism Behaviour

Abstract

In today’s digital environment, tourism risk is increasingly shaped not by actual events but by how those events are communicated. This study explores how media narratives, political instability, and emotional amplification contribute to perceived insecurity in tourism. Methodology: Through a bibliometric analysis of articles in English-language journals published from 1986 to 2024, the research traces thematic shifts from traditional event-driven perspectives toward communicative framings of risk. The findings highlight the growing prominence of themes such as “perceived risk,” “crisis management,” and “destination image,” suggesting a deeper academic recognition of tourism’s psychological and symbolic vulnerabilities. The analysis reveals how media ecosystems, through repetition, framing, and virality, sustain fear and distrust long after a crisis has passed. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by foregrounding the role of narrative and media discourse in shaping travel behaviour. It calls for greater attention to narrative management and digital communication strategies as essential tools to rebuild trust and ensure destination resilience. A long-term, reliable, and effective strategy to cope with the adverse effects of narrative disruption on tourism can be implemented only if we can develop a comprehensive understanding of the sociopsychological effects. Long-term and effective strategies to cope with narrative disruption in tourism require a deeper understanding of its sociopsychological impact.