Transport Infrastructure, Tourist Behaviour and Spatial Structure in the Landscapes and habitats of the Alps

Abstract

Within the framework of the National Research Programme 48 and Habitats of the Alps the Institute for Planning and Systems is working on the research project Transport Infrastructure, Tourist Behaviour and Spatial Structure in the Landscapes and Habitats of the Alps which aims at analysing the relationships between the land use, the transport system and the tourist facilities, and their usage by tourists. The approach of the project is to look at these relationships at two different levels, namely at the national and at the regional level. At the regional level six different tourist regions within Switzerland are chosen as case study areas, which include the Aletsch-area, Verbier, St. Moritz, Scuol, Wengen and Engelberg. These areas are selected to represent contrary characteristics concerning location, national and regional accessibility, style, price level, etc. At both levels the transport infrastructure and spatial structure are analysed by their provision of large scale and small scale accessibility. The behaviour of tourists is at the national level characterised by destination and mode choices as well as frequencies of visits. At the regional level tourists and their actual behaviour at the destination are described. In order to collect data about tourist behaviour a survey was carried out in collaboration with the tourism organisations on location. A pretest took place in Engelberg during the winter 2003 whereas the main survey in all six case study areas took place during the following winter season. The survey concentrated on overnight tourists staying in hotels, guesthouses and holiday homes. Through their accommodation the tourists received a self-completion written questionnaire and a self-addressed envelope. The questionnaire consisted of different parts. On the one hand demographic, socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were collected. On the other hand people were asked to give general information about the ongoing stay at the location and to complete an activity-based diary for one day of this stay. Furthermore data on preferences in winter vacations and on the general travel behaviour were collected. The time required to fill in the questionnaire amounted to approximately ten to fifteen minutes. Altogether 763 questionnaires of a total of 3000 distributed questionnaires were returned. This equals a return rate of 25.4%, which seems to be relatively low. However, it needs to be taken into account that the tourists were not contacted directly but indirectly through their accommodation.