Hotel and hostel location in Lisbon: looking for their determinants

ABSTRACT

To understand the potential factors contributing to the choice of location for hotels and hostels in Lisbon, Portugal, we use a logit model incorporating both lodging and location characteristics. Based on a sample of 274 hotels and hostels, we seek (i) to investigate if location strategies and decisions are influenced by lodging characteristics; and (ii) extend the set of factors that influence the spatial patterns of location of hotels and hostels. A geographical information system is then used to map hotels and investigate spatial characteristics. The results show that in general the accessibility to transport, restaurants and cultural attractions are not crucial factors in the location of hotels and hostels. With respect to higher grade hotels, the location pattern has changed with the Expo 98. The results reveal that the location pattern of higher grade hostels is now in the newly rehabilitated urban areas, which are characterized by being safer places and further away from the nightlife and near to commercial areas than from the city centre. With regard to lower grade hotels and hostels, the results do not reveal significant differences in the location pattern of both. Finally, only lower grade hotels tend to actively seek the benefits of agglomeration effects. For practitioners, the results provide useful information for selecting sites for hotels and hostels. Based on estimated results, hotel location factors are identified, providing useful suggestions for urban planning. Moreover, the model can be helpful in assisting hotel investors’, owners’ and managers’ assessments of various factors making hotel and hostel location and provide necessary supports to identify the potential location and their further development.

摘要

为了研究葡萄牙里斯本市宾馆与旅舍区位选择的潜在影响因素, 我们基于274个宾馆与旅舍样本, 运用一个涵盖住宿业与区位特征的逻辑模型, 研究了: (1) 宾馆区位战略与决策是否受到住宿业特征的影响; (2) 拓展了对宾馆与旅舍区位空间分布影响因素的讨论。我们运用地理信息系统把宾馆绘制在地图上, 研究了其空间特征。结果显示, 总体来说, 交通的可达性、餐馆与文化吸引物不是决定宾馆与旅舍区位的关键因素。就高档宾馆来说, 自98年博览会以来, 其区位模式已发生变化, 它们现在位于城市的复兴地区, 这些地区都是较为安全的场所, 远离夜生活区并且更接近商业区。就低档宾馆与旅舍来说, 二者的区位模式没有显著差异, 只有低档宾馆倾向于积极寻求集聚效应的收益。本研究为业界选择宾馆与旅舍的经营地点提供了有用信息。基于估算的结果, 可以识别出酒店区位的影响因素, 为城市规划提供有用的建议。此外, 本模型有助于宾馆的投资商、业主和管理人员评估形成宾馆与旅舍区位的各种因素, 为识别宾馆与旅舍潜在的区位以及未来的开发提供必要的支持。

KEYWORDS:

• Location
• hotel
• hostel
• spatial analysis
• binary logistic model
• Lisbon

关键词:

• 区位;酒店;旅舍;空间分析;二分逻辑回归模型;里斯本

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susana Cró

Susana Raquel Cró is a PhD student in Tourism at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning (IGOT) – University of Lisbon, Portugal.

António Miguel Martins

António Miguel Martins, PhD, is Professor of the Faculty of Social Sciences at University of Madeira, Portugal. He obtained his PhD in Management from the University of Porto, Portugal. His research interests include tourism and hospitality security, tourism management and tourism economics.