ASSESSMENT OF TOURISTS’ PERCEPTIONS ON SAFETY AT THE CAPE COAST TOURIST DESTINATION IN GHANA

Abstract

The study aimed at identifying the precautionary measures taken by tourists before traveling and measures adopted while at the destination. Purposive sampling technique and questionnaires were employed to survey 515 tourists. It became evident that as the level of the tourists’ safety satisfaction increased, their safety expectations also increased. Tourists’ purpose of visiting did not influence the perception of safety. Majority of the tourists had at least a high school education. Therefore, their impressions could be critical for stakeholders to consider them in tourism safety planning. It recommended that GTA should add installation and repairs of safety equipment in unannounced routine checks. It is expected that this study will lead to further research on tourist safety and security within Ghana and her neighbouring countries in West Africa to reflect the regional position on tourism safety.

Keywords

• tourist safety
• expectations
• satisfaction
• ghana
• destination