Cosmopolitan tourists: the resilient segment in the face of terrorism

Terrorism is the most impactful travel risk influencing destination perception and choice. Little research has been done on the long-term effects of terrorism on tourism. One potential long-term impact of terrorism is the change in personal values of travellers, shifting permanently towards a security-concerned mindset. The image of safety emerges as the foundation for destination resilience in the face of terrorism. This paper aims to understand how the image of safety and stability, the prerequisites of tourism, can be restored. Through grounded theory, successful resilience strategies are analysed. Moreover, this research identifies a resilient tourist segment: travellers with strong cosmopolitan conviction. Insight is provided on how the tourism industry can contribute to building a more open-minded and resilient global society, the foundation of enduring tourism resilience.