Backpackers’ Motivations and Perceptions of Risk in the Cape Coast-Elmina Area

Abstract

Backpackers have been recognised as an important segment of the tourist market and have attracted academic interest globally including Ghana. The main objective of the study was to examine backpackers’ perception of risk and safety in the Cape Coast-Elmina area. The study was grounded in the positivist philosophy of research – a quantitative approach. The self administered questionnaire was used to solicit data from 200 backpackers in the Cape Coast-Elmina area. Frequencies, Factor Analysis and Chi Square Test of Independence were employed to analyse the data. The study revealed that word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and relatives as well as internet sources were mostly utilised by backpackers. Again, backpackers perceived that they were at risk of contracting tropical diseases such as malaria and cholera as a result of insanitary conditions. Furthermore, backpackers felt that they were financially at risk because of the presence of cheats in the area. In addition, the backpackers thought that crime happened in the Cape Coast-Elmina area and as a result there were some reports of physical assault. With regard to the risk reduction strategies, it was found that most backpackers kept their valuables very close to them whenever they were on the move. It was concluded that although backpackers generally did not perceive the Cape Coast-Elmina area as risky, they had issues with sanitation. It is therefore recommended that stakeholders in the Cape Coast-Elmina area should take critical steps to improve sanitation to reduce the rate of malaria and other environmentally driven diseases.