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Mobility Patterns and Spatial Behavior of Cruise Passengers Visiting Barcelona

Author

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  • Fahimeh Tavafi

    (Grup de Recerca en Anàlisi Territorial i Estudis Turístics (GRATET), Department de Geografia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain)

  • Xavier Delclòs-Alió

    (Grup de Recerca en Anàlisi Territorial i Estudis Turístics (GRATET), Department de Geografia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain)

  • Aaron Gutiérrez

    (Grup de Recerca en Anàlisi Territorial i Estudis Turístics (GRATET), Department de Geografia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain)

Abstract

Cruise ship tourism in port cities, while offering opportunities, has brought its own challenges, including overcrowding, disruption to local community mobility, and growing resident concerns, which recently escalated to anti-tourism activities. This article aims to understand the mobility patterns, transportation preferences, and spatial behaviors of cruise ship passengers within the City of Barcelona (Spain). The study is based on a survey conducted with cruise ship tourists visiting the city (n = 793). The key findings reveal the concentration of tourist activity in the old part of the city, and the similarity in spatial behaviors within the city, while the primary mode of exploration is walking, supported by motorized modes of transfer to access distant attractions. Socio-demographic factors and visit characteristics, such as age, group composition, and expenditure levels, are associated with mobility and spatial behavior. This article adds new evidence on the mobility patterns and spatial behaviors of cruise ship tourists visiting a major tourist city. With better knowledge of where cruise ship passengers concentrate, what activity patterns they show, and their preferred modes of transport, policymakers can manage more effectively the influx during peak times and in high-density areas. Strategies to distribute visitors more evenly across the city could be devised to alleviate pressure on heavily frequented zones.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahimeh Tavafi & Xavier Delclòs-Alió & Aaron Gutiérrez, 2025. "Mobility Patterns and Spatial Behavior of Cruise Passengers Visiting Barcelona," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:6:y:2025:i:2:p:59-:d:1624867
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ian E. Munanura & Edwin Sabuhoro & Carter A. Hunt & Jim Ayorekire, 2021. "Livelihoods and Tourism: Capital Assets, Household Resiliency, and Subjective Wellbeing," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-18, October.
    2. De Cantis, Stefano & Ferrante, Mauro & Kahani, Alon & Shoval, Noam, 2016. "Cruise passengers' behavior at the destination: Investigation using GPS technology," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 133-150.
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