Using GPS to Track Tourists Spatial Behaviour in Urban Destinations

The collection and evaluation of data on tourists’ spatial behavior can be difficult because of the labor intensive nature of methods such as large surveys, traffic and people counts, travel diaries, and observation. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology affords the opportunity to accurately track paths tourists take and to provide greater understanding of the spatial behavior of tourists. This paper presents results from a study conducted in 2007 that used GPS to track 76 participants from seven accommodation venues in Sydney and Canberra, Australia. GPS tracking makes data visually appealing and animates the urban space – the viewer can ‘walk in the shoes’ of the tourist. This study demonstrates that spatial technologies have much to offer in the management and planning of destinations