Tourist activated networks: implications for dynamic packaging systems in tourism

Authors

Florian Zach, Temple University
Ulrike Gretzel, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
D Fesenmaier, Temple UniversityFollow

RIS ID

37337

Publication Details

Zach, F., Gretzel, U. & Fesenmaier, D. R. (2008). Tourist activated networks: implications for dynamic packaging systems in tourism. In P. O'Connor, W. Hopken & U. Gretzel (Eds.), Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2008 (pp. 198-208). Vienna, Austria: Springer-Verlag Wien.

Abstract

This paper discusses tourist activated networks as a concept to inform technological applications supporting dynamic bundling and en-route recommendations. Empirical data was collected from travellers who visited a regional destination in the US and then analyzed with respect to its network structure. The results indicate that the tourist activated network for the destination is rather sparse and that there are clearly differences in core and peripheral nodes. The findings illustrate the structure of a tourist activated network and provide implications for technology design and tourism marketing.