12 th Asia-Pacific Forum for Graduate Students’ Research in Tourism - Challenging Conventions in Research 26-29 June 2013 Lakeside Campus, Taylor‟s University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia 1 APF 19 Conceptualizing a Safety and Security Framework of Tourists’ Perception and Travel Behavior in Rural Destinations Chiao Ling Yang and Vikneswaran Nair Taylor’s University, Malaysia Abstract This study attempts to develop a theoretical framework for tourists’ safety and security perception and travel behavior in rural destinations. Secondary data analysis was adopted to review the existing literature and models with relevant focuses. A framework was conceptualized based on three renowned models: Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Information Integration Theory (IIT), and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). The proposed framework is expected to provide insights for and to be tested empirically in future studies. The originality of this study is in constructing a theoretical foundation for the study of safety and security in rural destinations from a psychological perspective in which tourists’ perception, attitude and behavior are included. Keyword: Safety and Security, Tourists’ Perception, Travel Behavior, Rural Tourism