ADVENTURE TOURISM: RISK PERCEPTION AMONG TOURIST IN APO ISLAND

The study aimed to examine tourists' risk perception in adventure tourism in Apo Island. A self-made survey questionnaire was used to gather data from tourists, and statistical tools such as weighted mean and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient were applied to analyze the data. Findings revealed that physical, environmental, and health risks had a very minimal influence on tourists’ experiences, indicating that these risks were not perceived as significant deterrents. However, safety measures and risk management practices significantly influenced tourists’ confidence in engaging in adventure tourism, underscoring the importance of well-established safety protocols. Additionally, previous experience, personal risk tolerance, and information provided by tour operators did not show significant relationships with risk perception, suggesting that tourists rely more on their individual assessment of risks. The study also found that safety measures and risk management practices were the only factor significantly related to physical risk, while no significant relationships were found between environmental or health risks and any influencing variables. These findings highlight the need for enhanced risk communication strategies, improved safety measures, and structured emergency response systems to further strengthen tourist confidence and participation. The study suggests that ensuring a balance between adventure tourism promotion and safety management is essential for maintaining a secure and sustainable tourism environment in Apo Island.