First and Repeat Visitor Behaviour: GPS Tracking and GIS Analysis in Hong Kong

Abstract This study uses global positioning systems (GPS) technology to compare and contrast the behaviour patterns of first-time and repeat visitors to Hong Kong. The use of GPS recorders, coupled with an analysis using Geographical Information System (GIS) software produces highly accurate, fine-grained information concerning the spatial and time–space patterns of the visitors. The study findings build on existing knowledge that first-timers tend to travel more widely throughout the destination while repeat visitors tend to confine their actions to a smaller number of locations. However, the data also revealed that first-timers and repeaters spend different amounts of time at the same attractions and visit during different times of the day. First-time visitors also tend to make one long, extended day trip from the hotel, while repeaters tend to make a number of shorter forays, returning to the hotel intermittently during the day.

[1]  Stefan van der Spek.  Spatial Metro – Tracking pedestrians in historic city centres , 2008 .

[2]  Henrik Harder,et al.  Tracking Visitors in Public Parks – Experiences with GPS in Denmark , 2008 .

[3]  Mark S. Rosenbaum,et al.  Who buys that? Who does what? Analysis of cross-cultural consumption behaviours among tourists in Hawaii , 2005 .

[4]  Alastair M. Morrison,et al.  The effect of prior experience on vacation behavior. , 2004 .

[5]  M. Oppermann,et al.  A Model of Travel Itineraries , 1995 .

[6]  Syed Aziz Anwar,et al.  Festival tourism in the United Arab Emirates: First-time versus repeat visitor perceptions , 2004 .

[7]  Noam Shoval,et al.  Tracking tourists in the digital age , 2007 .

[8]  Mei-Po Kwan,et al.  Interactive geovisualization of activity-travel patterns using three-dimensional geographical information systems: a methodological exploration with a large data set , 2000 .

[9]  Rein Ahas,et al.  Evaluating passive mobile positioning data for tourism surveys: An Estonian case study , 2008 .

[10]  R. Gitelson,et al.  INSIGHTS INTO THE REPEAT VACATION PHENOMENON , 1984 .

[11]  Bob McKercher,et al.  How Special Is Special Interest Tourism? , 2005 .

[12]  Chia-Kuen Cheng,et al.  A systematic comparison of first-time and repeat visitors via a two-phase online survey , 2008 .

[13]  M. Oppermann,et al.  Destination Threshold Potential and the Law of Repeat Visitation , 1998 .

[14]  Noam Shoval,et al.  Tracking technologies and urban analysis , 2008 .

[15]  Ş. Baloğlu,et al.  Image variations of Turkey by familiarity index: informational and experiential dimensions. , 2001 .

[16]  M. Oppermann,et al.  Predicting destination choice — A discussion of destination loyalty , 1999 .

[17]  Michael Haldrup,et al.  Laid-Back Mobilities: Second-Home Holidays in Time and Space , 2004 .

[18]  B. Mckercher,et al.  Tourist Flows and the Spatial Distribution of Tourists , 2008 .

[19]  Alexander Moore,et al.  Rosanzerusu is Los Angeles an anthropological inquiry of Japanese tourists , 1985 .

[20]  Noam Shoval,et al.  Tourist Mobility and Advanced Tracking Technologies , 2009 .

[21]  S. Reid,et al.  Communicating tourism supplier services: building repeat visitor relationships. , 1994 .

[22]  Alastair M. Morrison,et al.  The Effect of Prior Destination Experience on Online Information Search Behaviour , 2006 .

[23]  B. Mckercher,et al.  Movement Patterns of Tourists within a Destination , 2008 .

[24]  Adam Astrid Kemperman,et al.  COMPARING FIRST-TIME AND REPEAT VISITORS ACTIVITY PATTERNS , 2003 .

[25]  M. Oppermann,et al.  Tourism Destination Loyalty , 2000 .

[26]  J. Crompton,et al.  Image Differences between Prospective, First-Time, and Repeat Visitors to the Lower Rio Grande Valley , 1991 .

[27]  Noam Shoval,et al.  Sequence Alignment as a Method for Human Activity Analysis in Space and Time , 2007 .

[28]  Ulrike Gretzel,et al.  Capturing the Beaten Paths: A Novel Method for Analysing Tourists' Spatial Behaviour at an Urban Destination , 2006, ENTER.

[29]  Donggen Wang,et al.  Tourist Behaviour and Repeat  Visitation to Hong Kong , 2004 .

[30]  W.G.M. van der Knaap,et al.  GIS oriented analysis of tourist time-space patterns to support sustainable tourism development , 1999 .

[31]  R. C. Mings,et al.  The Spatial Configuration of Travel to Yellowstone National Park , 1992 .

[32]  J. Petrick.  Are loyal visitors desired visitors , 2004 .

[33]  Bob McKercher,et al.  Exploration Versus Acquisition: A Comparison of First-Time and Repeat Visitors , 2004 .

[34]  R. Ahas,et al.  Seasonal tourism spaces in Estonia: Case study with mobile positioning data , 2007 .

[35]  M. Oppermann,et al.  First-time and repeat visitors to New Zealand. , 1997 .