Backpackers' risk perceptions and risk reduction strategies in Ghana

•Backpackers have considerable love for novelty.•The perceived risk of backpackers is relatively unexplored.•Backpackers to Ghana have six main perceived risks.•Socio-demographic and travel characteristics influence perceptions of risk.•Risk reductions strategies used varied by perceived risk.

Backpackers are noted for their love for novelty in seeking travel experiences. Despite their love for novelty, backpackers travel experiences are influenced by perceived risks which have mostly been ignored by tourism researchers. Using a sample of 603 backpackers that visited Ghana as a case study, this study explored backpackers' perceived risks, determinants of perceived risk and risk reduction strategies. The results showed that there are six dimensions of backpackers' perceived risks on Ghana, namely expectation, physical, health, financial, political and socio-psychological risks. Religion, continent of origin, sex, repeat visit and travel arrangements were found to determine backpackers' perceived risk on Ghana. Both consumption behaviour modification and information search were used as risk reduction strategies by backpackers while risk reduction strategies were found to vary by type of perceived risk.