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Abstract |
This paper outlines a number of approaches and methodologies, based on utilising itinerary analysis and Geographic Information Systems, which have sought to explore tourism flows and their impacts at a range of temporal and spatial resolutions. As such its basic records are the sequential movement patterns of individual tourists, either from night to night or from stop to stop. It draws from a data base of some 50,000 journeys nationally, and three major regional surveys in Northland, the West Coast and Rotorua conducted between 1997 and 2001. The paper initially deals with analysis and integration issues relating to existing national data sets on international and domestic visitors and their overnight stays. It then describes and critiques the development of map-based sample surveys applied to detailed information on intra-regional flows, with reference to work in both Tai Tokerau (Northland) and the South Island's West Coast. These surveys record the 'informal' stopping behaviour of visitors in greater detail, and allow initial analysis of movement and positioning of tourists at various times of the day. Insights gained from these data are explored, and their relationship to other data sets such as attraction visitation and accommodation usage surveys are reviewed. Finally, the significance of the data for tourism (in areas such as development strategies and impact assessment) and for wider geo-demographic applications are discussed, as are new data collection opportunities for recording itineraries and flows. |
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