Influence of Risk Assessment Factors on the Tourism Performance in Qatar: An Empirical Study

Abstract

This article focuses on the Risk Assessment Factors (RAF) to be considered in tourism with specific context to Qatar. As Qatar has taken a bold step to host FIFA World Cup 2022, it is likely to attract a large number of tourists during this event and there is a need to develop a full-fledged infrastructure to support tourism with all the necessary human resources planning and logistical support. So, this calls for a need to have a full-fledged Tourism Risk Management (TRM) system in place. The research approach was a mixed method approach with the qualitative component involving the assimilation and analysis of information and knowledge from informal interviews with the managers of tourism industry, and secondary sources of information. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using partial least square method has been used to test the fifteen hypotheses. The results have indicated that among the factors considered, tourist based risk factors, relationship risk factors and general risk factors have significant influence on tourism performance, which is measured in terms of financial, non-financial and operational performance. Based on study results, implications have been drawn which would benefit the managers of tourism industry in enhancing the TRM.