Tourism experiences in motion. Mobile, visual and psychophysiological methods to capture tourists “on the move”

Experience measurement and design have become leading management objectives to ensure destination competitiveness in recent years. This paper applies the user-centred perspective of mobile video ethnography with bio-sensing and facial action coding to study journey experiences – i.e. those tourist experiences happening in motion. The use of mobile, visual and psychophysiological methods represents a novel opportunity to deeper explore physical, sensory, social and emotional shades of tourist experiences. Experience measurement and design in the field of tourist transport has the potential to shape more sustainable and experientially rich forms of mobility. Results show and compare unique features of cycling and motorcycling journeys, highlighting the interface between riding and non-riding tasks, as well as the importance of speed variation and time duration in assessing the relationship with land- and soundscapes

How much traffic is too much? Finding the right vehicle quota for a scenic mountain road in the Italian Alps

An effective yet neglected option to limit the detrimental effects of car traffic in natural tourist destinations is the imposition of vehicle quotas. Defining the right quota for a road system, however, may not be straightforward because of the complex connection between the number of vehicles entering the system and traffic levels across space and over time. In this paper, we present a novel approach to tackle this issue that combines agent-based modeling and standards of quality, and we use it to define an hourly quota aimed at limiting traffic congestion and demand for parking along a scenic road in the Dolomites (Italian Alps). The model is designed and calibrated using geospatial and traffic data, and the acceptability of the quotas is further tested according to the hourly modal splits they might induce. Our model simulations highlight that, by redistributing morning traffic inflows, the quota can almost eliminate congestion with only a negligible impact on overall traffic figures. Further, while traffic reductions of up to 35% may be needed to eliminate traffic-related issues, more reasonable reductions (i.e. 10–25%) may be enough to address most of those. From an empirical perspective, the paper shows the effectiveness of quotas in sustainable transport and tourism; from a policy and management perspective, it proposes an approach for the definition of an ideal quota. The design of a quota system, however, requires detailed implementation and communication strategies, and more advanced simulation tools to capture circulation patterns induced by such strategies

Destination Design: A heuristic case study approach to sustainability-oriented innovation

The landscape of research outputs in tourism planning is fragmented and multi-disciplinary. Design as a meta-discipline has the power to integrate sectoral thought and inject creativity, non-linear thought and transdisciplinarity into planning processes, particularly when tackling sustainability challenges. This paper defines Destination Design as a novel framework capable of evolving the concepts of spatial and participatory planning using the design thinking cognitive style to address sustainability paradoxes. The features of are explored through the unique case study of sustainability-oriented innovation in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. Results show that design thinking can be invaluable for pioneering pro-sustainability initiatives. Further, creative forms of engagement might encourage the acceptance and support of local transformations, but are difficult to implement

Tourist and Viral Mobilities Intertwined: Clustering COVID-19-Driven Travel Behaviour of Rural Tourists in South Tyrol, Italy

Travel patterns have dramatically changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism has been both a vector and a victim of the disease. This paper explores the pandemic’s impact on rural tourism, using the theoretical framework of the “mobilities turn” to investigate issues of corporeal and communicative travel found between the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 874 guests visiting the Italian region of South Tyrol, where rural tourism is the norm, identified different patterns of physical travel and approaches to collecting on-site information on COVID-19. Results from a principal component analysis (PCA) and a cluster analysis highlighted at least two different approaches from visitors to the region: the first is more cautious, mostly practiced by domestic tourists, with limited mobility on-site, coupled with a need for information; the second is instead a more adventurous approach, with higher on-site mobility, more use of sustainable forms of transport and less interest in data evidence on COVID-19. Implications for rural tourism and its future are discussed. The hypothesis of an inverse relationship between corporeal and communicative travel needs further exploration in future research

E-mobility and Sustainable Tourism Transport in Remote Areas

The discourse on sustainability in tourism cannot disregard mobility issues. The transition towards sustainable and integrated transport should include the management of public transport, active modes (pedestrian and bike traffic) and e-mobility solutions. In order to investigate the potential of e-mobility in guaranteeing and possibly increasing sustainability of tourism destinations in remote areas, an exploratory case study has been conducted in South Tyrol, an Alpine region in Northern Italy. Demand and supply perspectives were compounded to assess the framework conditions and the tourist attitudes towards e-mobility development. A secondary data analysis on the development of policies and supply of charging infrastructure for the local e-mobility enhancement was performed. Moreover, a purposive sample of more than 1,000 tourists visiting the area was completed to collect by means of behavioural information on visitors’ attitudes towards e-mobility in general and on site. Results shed some light on visitors’ perceived barriers, as well as desiderata concerning the further development of e-tourism offers. They highlight also the potential for the destination to use e-mobility infrastructure as leverage for product and market innovation in tourism

Emotions in Tourism: from Consumer Behavior to Destination Management

We argue in this chapter that tourism practice is emotionally charged, but tourism research is less so. In fact, emotion research in tourism was mostly borrowed from marketing studies, which limits its application mainly to customer satisfaction and customer loyalty issues. Little is known as yet about the complex nature of the emotion concept and the dynamic relationship between tourist experiences and emotional states. Therefore in this chapter we aim to: (1) clarify the emotional concept and the underlying theories in modern psychology; (2) identify the crucial connections between tourist experiences (pre-, on-, and post-trip) and emotional states; and (3) assess the main domains of interest for future emotion research in tourism. We propose a conceptual framework to bridge consumer behavior and destination management/marketing research through studying emotional states. Further, we argue that human interactions between host and guest (as well as among guests), emotional valence of tourism activities (and on-line behaviors), as well as attention to eliciting emotion in destination marketing/ branding and service design are the main issues for a future research agenda. To investigate these issues, combined use of (qualitative) self-reported techniques and (technologically advanced) observation techniques will be crucial