Visitor Management in Tourism Destinations: Current Challenges in Measuring and Managing Visitors’ Spatio-Temporal Behaviour
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Julian Reif
, Dirk Schmücker , Lisa Naschert und Eric Horster
Abstract
Phenomena of overtourism have negative impacts on the natural environment and social structures in many destinations. To address these issues, destinations are using digital systems for visitor management as part of their smart destination development initiatives. Valid and reliable data on visitor frequencies and spatio-temporal behaviour are crucial for the efficiency and efficacy of digital systems to mitigate overtourism phenomena. However, measuring and managing tourism demand in destinations is a methodological challenge. In this chapter, we explore the digital measurement of tourists’ spatio-temporal behaviour as a prerequisite for the development of a digital visitor management system with focus on community-based destinations. We classify the current challenges in measuring and managing visitors in destinations into economic, socio-political and data-based challenges. Furthermore, we shed light on potential issues associated with the use of single spot measurements and the use of passive mobile location data from smartphones. Despite the many challenges associated with digital visitor measurement and management, we recommend that destinations address them as a priority. While setting up an effective digital visitor management system may be challenging, such measurement systems can still be used for various purposes within destinations. We advocate for open data availability that allows researchers, destinations and businesses to use the data to ensure long-term sustainability in destinations.
Abstract
Phenomena of overtourism have negative impacts on the natural environment and social structures in many destinations. To address these issues, destinations are using digital systems for visitor management as part of their smart destination development initiatives. Valid and reliable data on visitor frequencies and spatio-temporal behaviour are crucial for the efficiency and efficacy of digital systems to mitigate overtourism phenomena. However, measuring and managing tourism demand in destinations is a methodological challenge. In this chapter, we explore the digital measurement of tourists’ spatio-temporal behaviour as a prerequisite for the development of a digital visitor management system with focus on community-based destinations. We classify the current challenges in measuring and managing visitors in destinations into economic, socio-political and data-based challenges. Furthermore, we shed light on potential issues associated with the use of single spot measurements and the use of passive mobile location data from smartphones. Despite the many challenges associated with digital visitor measurement and management, we recommend that destinations address them as a priority. While setting up an effective digital visitor management system may be challenging, such measurement systems can still be used for various purposes within destinations. We advocate for open data availability that allows researchers, destinations and businesses to use the data to ensure long-term sustainability in destinations.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword VII
- Preface IX
- Contents XI
- The Need to Engage with Destination Development 1
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Part I: Developing Competitive Destinations
- Tourism Destinations: Risk, Management and Communication 11
- Destination Competitiveness and AI-based Methods 33
- Change Management Approaches to Encounter Rural Overtourism 55
- Visitor Management in Tourism Destinations: Current Challenges in Measuring and Managing Visitors’ Spatio-Temporal Behaviour 81
- Supporting Economically and Socially Sustainable Destination Development through Branding: Opportunities and Challenges 105
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Part II: Developing Sustainable Destinations
- From Global Frameworks to Local Meanings: Assessing Resilience for Sustainable Destinations through the Lens of Transdisciplinary Research 127
- Destination Resilience in the Context of COVID-19 and Its Hysteretic Impact on the Tourism System of South Tyrol 149
- Local Participation for a Higher Commitment to Destination Development 173
- Residents’ Attitudes and Sustainable Destination Development: Introducing the Tourism Acceptance Score 197
- Dogs, Frogs and Degrowth: Sustainable Development and Arctification as a Destination Development Dilemma in Northern Sweden 219
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Part III: Developing Accessible Destinations
- Principles and Practices of Effective Inclusive Stakeholder Community Engagement 243
- The Role of Universal Design in the Future of Tourism Planning and Development 261
- Developing Social Sustainable Tourism for and with People with Hidden Disabilities: Reflections from Fyn, Denmark 287
- Tourism Promotional Materials: Examining the Intersections of Accessibility and Inclusion 309
- Inclusive Destination Management Strategies 333
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Part IV: Developing Future-Proof Destinations
- Business as Usual or Completely Different? COVID-19 and Its Influence on the Participation in Tourism of the German Population 361
- Beyond Overtourism, Undertourism, the End of Tourism: New Perspectives for Urban Tourism 381
- Flight and Migration in the Context of Destinations: Conceptional Approaches and Empirical Insights Based on the Repurposing of Tourist Accommodation as Accommodation for Refugees – Case Study Bavaria 405
- The Challenge of Climate Change and Net-Zero Emissions for Destinations 425
- Techno-Utopia or Techno-Dystopia: Current and Future Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence Developments in Destinations 453
- The Contribution of Academia to Destination Development 473
- List of Figures 483
- List of Tables 487
- List of Contributors 489
- Index 497
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword VII
- Preface IX
- Contents XI
- The Need to Engage with Destination Development 1
-
Part I: Developing Competitive Destinations
- Tourism Destinations: Risk, Management and Communication 11
- Destination Competitiveness and AI-based Methods 33
- Change Management Approaches to Encounter Rural Overtourism 55
- Visitor Management in Tourism Destinations: Current Challenges in Measuring and Managing Visitors’ Spatio-Temporal Behaviour 81
- Supporting Economically and Socially Sustainable Destination Development through Branding: Opportunities and Challenges 105
-
Part II: Developing Sustainable Destinations
- From Global Frameworks to Local Meanings: Assessing Resilience for Sustainable Destinations through the Lens of Transdisciplinary Research 127
- Destination Resilience in the Context of COVID-19 and Its Hysteretic Impact on the Tourism System of South Tyrol 149
- Local Participation for a Higher Commitment to Destination Development 173
- Residents’ Attitudes and Sustainable Destination Development: Introducing the Tourism Acceptance Score 197
- Dogs, Frogs and Degrowth: Sustainable Development and Arctification as a Destination Development Dilemma in Northern Sweden 219
-
Part III: Developing Accessible Destinations
- Principles and Practices of Effective Inclusive Stakeholder Community Engagement 243
- The Role of Universal Design in the Future of Tourism Planning and Development 261
- Developing Social Sustainable Tourism for and with People with Hidden Disabilities: Reflections from Fyn, Denmark 287
- Tourism Promotional Materials: Examining the Intersections of Accessibility and Inclusion 309
- Inclusive Destination Management Strategies 333
-
Part IV: Developing Future-Proof Destinations
- Business as Usual or Completely Different? COVID-19 and Its Influence on the Participation in Tourism of the German Population 361
- Beyond Overtourism, Undertourism, the End of Tourism: New Perspectives for Urban Tourism 381
- Flight and Migration in the Context of Destinations: Conceptional Approaches and Empirical Insights Based on the Repurposing of Tourist Accommodation as Accommodation for Refugees – Case Study Bavaria 405
- The Challenge of Climate Change and Net-Zero Emissions for Destinations 425
- Techno-Utopia or Techno-Dystopia: Current and Future Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence Developments in Destinations 453
- The Contribution of Academia to Destination Development 473
- List of Figures 483
- List of Tables 487
- List of Contributors 489
- Index 497