Typologies of tourists’ time–space consumption: a new approach using GPS data and GIS tools

Abstract

Time geography presents a conceptual framework to describe and understand the tourists’ spatio-temporal behavior, according to which the effective reach of an individual is defined by time–space constraints and the path taken by the individual. In recent years, a growing number of studies within this framework have begun to use geographic information systems (GIS) tools and data gathered with the help of advanced tracking methods. These tools and the framework of time geography have been applied to the study of tourists’ spatio-temporal behavior, mainly on a descriptive level; yet there is a scarcity of suitable tools for the advanced analysis of the high-resolution temporal and spatial data acquired with these new technologies. Driven by this shortage, the approach presented here attempts to shed light on the choices made and strategies implemented by tourists, within the constraints of time and space, by clustering tourists based on time–space allocation measures of their behavior. The feasibility of this approach was tested in an exploratory case study of the behavior of 68 first-time tourists in Hong Kong. The results show three distinct and consistent time–space strategies that were employed by tourists and point to the theoretical and practical advances that can be made by implementing the current approach.

Keywords:

• tourist activity
• time geography
• tourist time–space patterns
• GPS
• Hong Kong

Note

Notes

1. Shortest distance was preferred over measured distance due to the fact that, though not always realized, smaller shortest distances usually demand less travel time and allow for more activity time at the desired attractions. Measured routes, and distances, on the other hand, are the products of insufficient knowledge, distractions and diversions along with pre-planning and therefore do not always present the initial intent of the individual when planning an itinerary. Shortest distance, therefore, better represents the initial choice and planning.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Yair Grinberger

A. Yair Grinberger is a PhD student at the Department of Geography of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Noam Shoval

Noam Shoval is a professor and the Head of the Department of Geography of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Bob McKercher

Bob McKercher is a professor at the School of Hotel & Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.