IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/infott/v20y2018i1d10.1007_s40558-018-0128-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Finding patterns in urban tourist behaviour: a social network analysis approach based on TripAdvisor reviews

Author

Listed:
  • Egbert Van der Zee

    (Utrecht University)

  • Dario Bertocchi

    (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

Abstract

Developments in ICT and the massive growth in social media usage have increased the availability of data on travel behaviour. This brings an array of new possibilities to improve destination management through Data-driven decisions. This data, however, needs to be analysed and interpreted in order to be beneficial for destination management. Different kinds of methodologies and data have already been applied to analyse spatial behaviour of tourists between and within destinations. The novelty of our paper in this sense that we apply a relational approach by conducting a network analysis methodology on a readily available big data source: user generated content (UGC) from TripAdvisor. The collected data from the city of Antwerp, Belgium shows how locals, Belgians, Europeans and non-Europeans have distinct review patterns, but also shows recurring behavioural patterns. By comparing the relational constellation of the review network to the spatial distribution of central and peripheral attractions, hotels and restaurants, we discuss the added value of social network analysis on UGC for translating (big) data into applicable information and knowledge. The results show a dominant position of a limited number of clustered attractions in the historic city centre, and shows how geographical proximity and relational proximity are interrelated for international reviewers but less for domestic reviewers. This finding is translated into a set of recommendations for policy makers and destination managers trying to accomplish a better distribution of tourists over the entire destination.

Suggested Citation

  • Egbert Van der Zee & Dario Bertocchi, 2018. "Finding patterns in urban tourist behaviour: a social network analysis approach based on TripAdvisor reviews," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 153-180, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infott:v:20:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s40558-018-0128-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s40558-018-0128-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40558-018-0128-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s40558-018-0128-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ashworth, Gregory & Page, Stephen J., 2011. "Urban tourism research: Recent progress and current paradoxes," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 1-15.
    2. Law, Rob & Qi, Shanshan & Buhalis, Dimitrios, 2010. "Progress in tourism management: A review of website evaluation in tourism research," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 297-313.
    3. Dimitrios Buhalis & Aditya Amaranggana, 2015. "Smart Tourism Destinations Enhancing Tourism Experience Through Personalisation of Services," Springer Books, in: Iis Tussyadiah & Alessandro Inversini (ed.), Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2015, edition 127, pages 377-389, Springer.
    4. Xiang, Zheng & Gretzel, Ulrike, 2010. "Role of social media in online travel information search," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 179-188.
    5. Munar, Ana María & Jacobsen, Jens Kr. Steen, 2014. "Motivations for sharing tourism experiences through social media," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 46-54.
    6. Chua, Alvin & Servillo, Loris & Marcheggiani, Ernesto & Moere, Andrew Vande, 2016. "Mapping Cilento: Using geotagged social media data to characterize tourist flows in southern Italy," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 295-310.
    7. Estela Marine-Roig & Salvador Anton Clavé, 2016. "A detailed method for destination image analysis using user-generated content," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 341-364, January.
    8. Gary Akehurst, 2009. "User generated content: the use of blogs for tourism organisations and tourism consumers," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 3(1), pages 51-61, March.
    9. Hernández, Juan M. & Kirilenko, Andrei P. & Stepchenkova, Svetlana, 2018. "Network approach to tourist segmentation via user generated content," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 35-47.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Hulya Bakirtas & Vildan Gulpinar Demirci, 2022. "Can Google Trends data provide information on consumer’s perception regarding hotel brands?," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 57-83, March.
    2. Xinxin Guo & Juho Pesonen & Raija Komppula, 2021. "Comparing online travel review platforms as destination image information agents," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 159-187, June.
    3. Almudena Nolasco-Cirugeda & Clara García-Mayor & Cristina Lupu & Alvaro Bernabeu-Bautista, 2022. "Scoping out urban areas of tourist interest though geolocated social media data: Bucharest as a case study," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 361-387, September.
    4. Ricardo Teruel-Gutierrez & Mariluz Maté-Sánchez-Val, 2021. "The impact of Instagram on Airbnb’s listing prices in the city of Barcelona," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 67(3), pages 737-763, December.
    5. Angela Chantre-Astaiza & Laura Fuentes-Moraleda & Ana Muñoz-Mazón & Gustavo Ramirez-Gonzalez, 2019. "Science Mapping of Tourist Mobility 1980–2019. Technological Advancements in the Collection of the Data for Tourist Traceability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-32, August.
    6. Yuzhen Li & Guofang Gong & Fengtai Zhang & Lei Gao & Yuedong Xiao & Xingyu Yang & Pengzhen Yu, 2022. "Network Structure Features and Influencing Factors of Tourism Flow in Rural Areas: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-23, August.
    7. Giorgos Stamatelatos & George Drosatos & Sotirios Gyftopoulos & Helen Briola & Pavlos S. Efraimidis, 2021. "Point-of-interest lists and their potential in recommendation systems," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 209-239, June.
    8. Hwayoon Seok & George A. Barnett & Yoonjae Nam, 2021. "A social network analysis of international tourism flow," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 419-439, April.
    9. Chu, Chih-Peng & Chou, Yu-Hsin, 2021. "Using cellular data to analyze the tourists' trajectories for tourism destination attributes: A case study in Hualien, Taiwan," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    10. Karima Kourtit & Peter Nijkamp & João Romão, 2019. "Cultural Heritage Appraisal by Visitors to Global Cities: The Use of Social Media and Urban Analytics in Urban Buzz Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-21, June.
    11. Yuanyuan Mao & Xiyuan Ren & Ling Yin & Qingying Sun & Ke Song & De Wang, 2021. "Investigating Tourists’ Willingness to Walk (WTW) to Attractions within Scenic Areas: A Case Study of Tongli Ancient Town, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-15, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mihai F. Băcilă & Raluca Ciornea & Luiza M. Souca & Alexandra M. Drule, 2022. "Content Analysis on Sustainability Dimensions in DMOs’ Social Media Videos Advertising the World’s Most Visited Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    2. Molinillo, Sebastian & Liébana-Cabanillas, Francisco & Anaya-Sánchez, Rafael & Buhalis, Dimitrios, 2018. "DMO online platforms: Image and intention to visit," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 116-130.
    3. Dongwook Kim & Sungbum Kim, 2017. "The Role of Mobile Technology in Tourism: Patents, Articles, News, and Mobile Tour App Reviews," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-45, November.
    4. Arpan Kumar Kar & Sunil Kumar & P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan, 2021. "Modelling the Service Experience Encounters Using User-Generated Content: A Text Mining Approach," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 22(4), pages 267-288, December.
    5. Veronica Digiorgio, 2016. "Impact of promotional tools on reservation channels management: a descriptive model of Italian accommodation facilities," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 347-373, December.
    6. Tao Liu & Ying Zhang & Huan Zhang & Xiping Yang, 2021. "A Methodological Workflow for Deriving the Association of Tourist Destinations Based on Online Travel Reviews: A Case Study of Yunnan Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, April.
    7. Kim, Kun & Park, Oun-joung & Yun, Seunghyun & Yun, Haejung, 2017. "What makes tourists feel negatively about tourism destinations? Application of hybrid text mining methodology to smart destination management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 362-369.
    8. Krakover, Shaul & Corsale, Andrea, 2021. "Sieving tourism destinations: Decision-making processes and destination choice implications," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 33-43.
    9. Paolo Enria, 2012. "Local identity and food and wine communication as a lever for place marketing," CERIS Working Paper 201208, CNR-IRCrES Research Institute on Sustainable Economic Growth - Torino (TO) ITALY - former Institute for Economic Research on Firms and Growth - Moncalieri (TO) ITALY.
    10. Pam Lee & Chulmo Koo & Namho Chung, 2019. "The Threats of North Korea’s Missile and Visitors’ International Conference Choice Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-22, September.
    11. Sparks, Beverley A. & Perkins, Helen E. & Buckley, Ralf, 2013. "Online travel reviews as persuasive communication: The effects of content type, source, and certification logos on consumer behavior," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 1-9.
    12. Tribe, John & Mkono, Muchazondida, 2017. "Not such smart tourism? The concept of e-lienation," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 105-115.
    13. Sunyoung Hlee & Hanna Lee & Chulmo Koo, 2018. "Hospitality and Tourism Online Review Research: A Systematic Analysis and Heuristic-Systematic Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-27, April.
    14. repec:jtr:journl:v:6:y:2013:i:1:p:121-132 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Christina Katsikari & Leonidas Hatzithomas & Thomas Fotiadis & Dimitrios Folinas, 2020. "Push and Pull Travel Motivation: Segmentation of the Greek Market for Social Media Marketing in Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, June.
    16. Mylona Ifigeneia & Amanatidis Dimitrios & Stavrianea Aikaterini & Kamenidou Irene (Eirini) & Mamalis Spyridon, 2021. "Promoting Tourists’ Destinations in Greece with Social Media: The Case of Kimolos Island," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(1), pages 347-361.
    17. Laura Lorente Bayona & Aurora Ruiz Rua, 2019. "The importance of online payment on Travel and Tourism incomes - A Cross-Country Panel Data Study," Academicus International Scientific Journal, Entrepreneurship Training Center Albania, issue 20, pages 199-222, January.
    18. Zanfrillo, Alicia Inés & Artola, María Antonia, 2017. "Señales ofrecidas a través de los recursos de internet para reducir la incertidumbre de los consumidores de servicios de hospedaje," Nülan. Deposited Documents 2788, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales, Centro de Documentación.
    19. Mohammad Tipu Sultan & Farzana Sharmin & Alina Badulescu & Darie Gavrilut & Ke Xue, 2021. "Social Media-Based Content towards Image Formation: A New Approach to the Selection of Sustainable Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-22, April.
    20. Pásková Martina & Zelenka Josef & Hruška Jan, 2018. "YouTube as an Airlines Marketing Tool," Czech Journal of Tourism, Sciendo, vol. 7(1), pages 45-69, June.
    21. Boštjan Brumen & Marjetka Rangus & Maja Turnšek Hancic & Tanja Lešnik Štuhec & Mitja Gorenak, 2017. "Slovenian Tourism Industry: E-Disabled," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 10(1), pages 19-26.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:infott:v:20:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s40558-018-0128-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.