Jurnal Kepariwisataan: Destinasi, Hospitalitas dan Perjalanan
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): [Issue in Progress]

The Safety Paradox of Digitalized Wilderness Among Novice Travelers in Indonesian National Parks

Eko Susanto (Politeknik Negeri Bandung)
Mega Fitriani Adiwarna Prawira (Politeknik Pariwisata NHI Bandung)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study aims to explicitly investigate the complex interplay between User-Generated Content (UGC) exposure, Travel FOMO, risk mitigation, and post-trip behavioral outcomes among novice national park visitors. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative design and purposive sampling, this research analyzed 601 novice travelers (Generation Z and Millennials) visiting Indonesian national parks. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate that UGC triggers both FOMO and Risk Mitigation Behavior (RMB). However, FOMO fails to drive rational preparedness. A Safety Paradox is confirmed: mitigation efforts intensify perceived trail difficulty, which paradoxically enhances mindfulness and Nature Connectedness. This process ultimately drives Experiential Satisfaction, Environmental Stewardship, and e-WOM advocacy. This study extends Protection Motivation Theory by identifying a digital affective bias in which social anxiety overrides objective safety. It further enriches the Adventure Experience Paradigm by proving that logistical preparedness effectively shatters the illusion of ease perpetuated by social media.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jk

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Jurnal Kepariwisataan: Destinasi, Hospitalitas dan Perjalanan (ISSN 2477-3808; e-ISSN 2721-4753) is a peer-reviewed journal which is published by Politeknik Pariwisata NHI Bandung (PPNHIB) Jurnal Kepariwisataan aims at initiating and stimulating advances in hospitality and tourism research. ...