1,143 research outputs found

    Analyzing tourist flows by mapping time series into networks

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    Time series analysis is a well-known practice in tourism, usually employed for forecasting purposes. However, a time series is also a measurable representation of the dynamic characteristics of a system. In tourism, overnight stays assume an important role as they can be seen as a determinant of destination demand influenced by the perceived characteristics of the destination and, rather obviously, strongly related to tourists’ expenditures (Sainaghi, 2012). A deep investigation in the general dynamics of their time evolution is therefore quite important in order to better understand the whole phenomenon (Barros & Machado, 2010) Given its inherent complexity, though, studying tourism by using traditional techniques can be quite challenging. The application of different complexity science methods, well known in physics, mathematics sociology and economics, but not widely used in the tourism literature, has provided already a good array of insights into the structure and the dynamic behavior of a tourism destination. The general complexity characteristics have been explored by using non-linear time series analysis techniques and by applying complex network analysis methods (Baggio, 2008; Baggio & Sainaghi, 2011; Baggio et al., 2010)

    Network science and tourism – the state of the art

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    Purpose: In recent years, network science has become a dynamic and promising discipline. This study aims to provide a brief summary of the subject and the application to the tourism domain. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on a non-exhaustive survey of the literature. Findings: The state-of-the-art of network science in tourism is explored and discussed, together with possible future developments. Research limitations/implications: This paper uses a limited set of works, those deemed the most significant to sketch the situation. The choice might be subjective, but the overall picture is clear. Given what accomplished so far, the methods of network science seem interesting both for their theoretical and practical outcomes. In essence, they provide a better and more objective view on the structural and dynamic characteristics of the tourism phenomenon and of the different tourism systems and components. Originality/value: This paper critically reflects on the state of network science and its application to the tourism domain. Even without claiming to be complete, this paper takes a general perspective approach rather than examining single topics or issue

    The Web Graph of a Tourism System

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    The website network of a tourism destination is examined. The main statistical characteristics of the underlying graph are calculated. The topology of the network is similar to the one characterizing similar systems. However, some differences are found, mainly due to the relatively poor connectivity among the vertices of the network

    Simulations and Agent-Based Modelling

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    Agent-based modelling and numerical simulations are means that facilitate exploring the structural and dynamic characteristics of systems which may prove intractable with analytical methods. This contribution examines the issues related to them with a particular attention to their use in the study of social economic and ecological systems. Besides a general description, the possibilities, limitations and their relationship with other more traditional investigation methods are examined. Special focus is put on the assessment of their validation and reliability. Finally an application example is provided. A simple model is built to analyse the movements of tourists and the relationship between these and the attractiveness of a tourism destination. The results are discussed along with possible future developments

    The science of complexity in the tourism domain: a perspective article

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    Purpose: This paper aims to examine the complexity science approach to the tourism domain. Design/methodology/approach: This study is a personal perspective Findings: The study is an analysis of past and future applications. Originality/value: Historical considerations

    Complex Systems, Information Technologies and Tourism: A Network Point of View

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    There is a growing interest in complexity science as a framework for understanding social and economic systems. This paper aims at presenting this approach giving a brief overview of the complexity framework and illustrating some of the methods in order to allow the reader to gain a deeper appreciation of this perspective. The role of information management and information technology in tourism, emphasized on numerous occasions, is examined in this context. It is argued that this framework can offer tools and techniques able not only to better understand the general state from a theoretical point of view, but can also provide practical guidance in specific situations. As an example, the structure of the community of websites belonging to Italian travel agencies is analyzed

    Oriental and occidental approaches to complex tourism systems

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    This paper examines the methodological approach to the study of complex tourism systems and how they evolved. In particular, the need for a systemic holistic view is called for, and is considered more suitable than traditional reductionist approaches in providing meaningful insights. In examining complexity theories, a parallel with oriental philosophies and world views is made. It is argued that in a new globalized epoch, cross-fertilization of Eastern and Western thinking styles can promote further development of systems disciplines and be highly beneficial for the understanding of the structural and dynamic characteristics of tourism systems

    Tourism destinations: a universality conjecture based on network science

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    The structural characteristics of a tourism destination are of crucial importance since they influence its dynamic behavior. Many studies have shown that destinations have apparently similar topologies. The question posited in this paper is to what extent does this similarity hold, and whether these topologies can be considered as a universal trait. This study reanalyzes available data to test this conjecture. In particular, several quantities representing the topological structures of the destination are calculated; further, we obtain size-invariant and scalable similarity scores. The results indicate that destinations hold structurally similar, and arguably universal, characteristics. This finding is important as it suggests that there are some very basic (and consistent) strategies destination managers can develop when designing plans and actions
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