Analysis of Travellers’ Experiences with Petty Crimes Using Biopsychosocial Model: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

With surge in post-COVID tourism, the travel destinations are seeing a high volume of travellers seeking to fulfil their pent-up wanderlust. Travellers generally do not consider themselves vulnerable to crimes when on holidays – specifically to first world countries in Europe. However, there has been a significant increase in petty crimes against tourists which have become common in tourist hotspots across Europe and other places. Petty crimes experienced by tourists can often lead to not only material and monetary loss but also result in tainting the whole travel experience. The present paper reviewed existing research in a scoping review which examined tourists’ experiences following petty crimes on their well-being with focus on Europe. Utilizing the Biopsychosocial model, the post crime experiences of travellers were grouped as biological, psychological, and social outcomes to understand the complex ways in which travellers are affected by less than positive experiences while visiting tourist locations. The review shows paucity of works that aimed to understand travellers’ experiences, with majority of works choosing to focus on effect of petty crimes on hospitality sector.