Urban Visitor Perceptions of Safety during a Special Event

Abstract

The impact of crime on special events in the urban environment has generated a limited amount of research among tourism researchers. This article is an exploratory study of visitor perceptions of crime and safety during the hosting of a special event—the 2000 America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. Using factor analysis and a structural equation model, the authors analyze the factors involved with crimes against tourists in urban areas. The results indicate that distinct differences exist between domestic and international visitors in relation to the perception and experiences of tourism-related crime.