Traveling to the Danger Zone: Emotional Dynamics and Hermeneutics

Abstract

Although emotions have garnered scholarly attention in tourism, an opportunity remains to examine the interplay between different emotions and their implications on tourism outcomes. This multi-method research was carried out in Venezuela and assesses the physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal of emotions. A guided walking tour through Venezuela’s high-risk zones resulted in varied degrees of emotional stimulation among participants. Their responses were associated with individual differences, such as travel history and personal/professional interests. The appraisal process showed that people who visit conflict-ridden destinations develop cognitively and emotionally. These findings underscore the significance of non-hedonic trips in emotional processes and illustrate how tourism can foster beneficial outcomes. Travel can especially shape tourists’ attitudes towards residents, conflict, and themselves. This research also broadens the literature on risk taking and danger zone tourism.