Perceived Risks for Chinese Female Tourists' Visits to Islamic Countries

Abstract

Drawing on the CEM (Constraint–Effects–Mitigation) framework, this study uses two complementary methodologies (SEM and scenario-based experiments) to investigate how Chinese female tourists navigate the interplay of destination-based motivations (Islamic attributes, novelty, nature & adventure, stereotypes) and perceived constraints (social-psychological, physical & practical, gender-induced risks) in forming travel intentions toward Islamic destinations. The SEM findings indicate that negotiation fully mediates the impact of novelty, nature, and adventure on travel intentions, while Islamic attributes and stereotypes have direct effects. While perceived risks activate negotiation, they do not suppress travel intentions, suggesting adaptive recalibration rather than deterrence. Meanwhile, experimental results confirm that negotiation mediates travel mode and destination effects on travel intentions in Malaysia and Dubai, but not in Turkey. These findings refine the CEM framework and underscore the context-dependent, gendered dynamics of risk negotiation in female travel intentions.