Seasonal Spatial Activity Patterns of Visitors with a Mobile Exercise Application at Seoraksan National Park, South Korea

Jinwon Kim, Brijesh Thapa, Seongsoo Jang and Eunjung Yang
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Jinwon Kim: Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8208, USA
Brijesh Thapa: Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8208, USA
Seongsoo Jang: Cardiff Business School, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Aberconway Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK
Eunjung Yang: Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8208, USA

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: Visitors’ behavior in national parks can be influenced by seasonal variations in climate and preferred activities. Seasonality can produce different space consumption patterns, and impact visitor experience and natural resource use. The purpose of this study was to explore the seasonal spatial patterns of visitors’ activities using a mobile exercise application within the context of Seoraksan National Park in South Korea. A dataset composed of 5142 starting and ending points of 2639 activities (hiking and walking) created by 1206 mobile exercise application users (January–December 2015) were collected from a leading mobile exercise application operator. GIS-based spatial analytical techniques were used to analyze the spatial patterns of activity points across seasons and days (weekdays/weekends). Results indicated considerable seasonal and daily variations in activity distribution and hot spots (i.e., locations of potential congestion or crowding). The findings enable park managers to mitigate negative impacts to natural resources as well as enhance visitors’ experiences. Also, it allows potential visitors to decide when to visit certain sites via mobile application to ensure optimal conditions. Furthermore, the GPS-based exercise mobile application can be used as a new methodological approach to understand spatio-temporal patterns of visitors’ behavior within national parks and other natural protected areas.

Keywords: seasonality; mobile exercise application; GIS; spatial analytical techniques; visitors, national park (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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