Are Touristic Attractions Well-Connected in an Olympic Host City? A Network Analysis Measurement of Visitor Movement Patterns in Gangneung, South Korea

Eujin-Julia Kim, Yongjun Jo and Youngeun Kang
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Eujin-Julia Kim: Department of Landscape Architecture, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Korea
Yongjun Jo: Design Development Department, CA Landscape Co., Ltd., Seoul 333-140, Korea
Youngeun Kang: Research Department, Site Planning Co., Ltd, Busan 48505, Korea

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: One of the most serious concerns about mega event-related changes to small cities is how to effectively utilize newly developed public attractions after the Olympic Games. Making connections with existing local amenities and forming attraction networks can be effective strategies for continuing a city’s revitalization. However, despite the expected benefits, attraction network research shows that these benefits often fail to materialize. With the case of Gangneung, a 2018 Winter Olympic hosting city, this study investigated visitation patterns to 19 selected attractions using network analysis. The results indicate that the most influential nodes are located on the northern coast, the eastern coast, and in the south downtown area, those nodes being the central locations where the strongest of connections are made. New attractions such as the Olympic Park and Walwha Linear Park were rather isolated. While seasonal and periodic variations, visitors’ residences, and destination choice attitudes had a significant effect on visitation patterns, the attraction networks, modes of transportation, proximity to region, and type similarity were not significant factors in the forming of visitation patterns. The results make a methodological contribution to tourist behavior and network research. In addition, beyond individual attraction development, the results provide practical implications in regard to networking and cooperation between multiple attractions using temporal and spatial strategies such as management/investment prioritizing, travel route development, and program scheduling.

Keywords: network analysis; attractions network; Gangneung; mega event; 2018 Winter Olympic; host city (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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