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Capturing Unobserved Tourists: Challenges and Opportunities of Processing Mobile Positioning Data in Tourism Research

Author

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  • Tamás Kovalcsik

    (Department of Economic and Social Geography, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Hungary)

  • Ábel Elekes

    (Hungarian Tourism Agency, 1027 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Lajos Boros

    (Department of Economic and Social Geography, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Hungary)

  • László Könnyid

    (Hungarian Tourism Agency, 1027 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Zoltán Kovács

    (Department of Economic and Social Geography, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Hungary
    Geographical Institute, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 1112 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

Even though tourism (both domestic and international) is one of the main triggering factors of human mobility worldwide, some of its forms are unexplored. This can be partly linked with the lack of reliable data and obstacles related to data processing and interpretation. Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) allows us to identify various forms of tourism that are undetectable through traditional data sources such as accommodation statistics. Using MPD, not only same-day tourists but also the real time mobility patterns of tourists among various destinations can be revealed, and even hidden (i.e., unobserved) forms of tourism can be detected. However, despite the obvious benefits of such data, very few comprehensive studies exist to date on the processing, and interpretation of MPD in tourism research. In this paper, a case study is presented on the challenges and opportunities of processing MPD from raw to good quality researchable data offering a baseline tool for MPD-based research in the field of tourism. With the methodology introduced in this paper, it is possible to provide a more accurate picture of tourist flows regarding unobserved tourists, including same-day visitors.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamás Kovalcsik & Ábel Elekes & Lajos Boros & László Könnyid & Zoltán Kovács, 2022. "Capturing Unobserved Tourists: Challenges and Opportunities of Processing Mobile Positioning Data in Tourism Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:13826-:d:952377
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