Activity spaces in new environments: Tourist movements in a resort setting in the Bahamas

The purpose of this study is to better understand human spatial behavior in a new environment by examining tourist movements in a resort setting. More specifically, an attempt was made to determine which factors best explain the distribution of activity patterns for tourists staying in accommodation on Paradise Island, Bahamas. Data was collected from 795 tourists by using the diary approach. Tourists were also asked for details on the type of vacation undertaken and certain socioeconomic characteristics.;The spatial structure of tourist accommodation on Paradise Island was delineated by applying a methodology that stems from the family of location coefficients used in industrial geography. The effect of a hierarchy of sites can then be compared to other influences on activity space formation. An empirical analysis of tourist movements in the resort area was then conducted to determine whether tourists staying in resort enclaves were spatially isolated. By classifying the spatial behavior of the sample using a tourist behavior index (TBI), it was possible to objectively identify a behavioral trichotomy in tourist movements involving sedentary, normal, and explorer activity patterns. The sedentary tourist appeared to be content to remain largely within the resort area, while the explorer tourist was most likely to venture beyond the resort setting.;By applying a categorical linear-logit model it was apparent that four variables were particularly significant in explaining whether or not a tourist was an explorer or sedentary. Included amongst these four variables was place of stay, while the more general socioeconomic characteristics were of little significance. Hence, the spatial structure of the tourist system compared favorably to the more traditionally studied life-cycle and socioeconomic factors in explaining the activity patterns of tourists.;The implications for resort complexes similar to Paradise Island are profound. It may be possible to influence and manipulate tourist movements in accordance with particular policy objectives. The tourist product could then be more effectively tailored to the host, the tourist, and the industry's needs and wants.