Use of Social Networking Data to Explore Activity and Destination Choice Behavior in Two Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

On the basis of data from online location-based social networks, the spatiality of destinations in the context of social networks and the influence of social networks on travelers’ destination choices are explored through check-in behavior. Analysis results show that social relationships play a role in travelers’ destination choices and that distance plays a strong role in social networks and in location choice. Comparison of check-in behavior of travelers in two social networks identified in two metropolitan areas (Chicago, Illinois, and New York City) and examination of interactions in the largest communities in each social network indicate that the denser a social network is, the greater the likelihood that travelers will be influenced by their friends in their choice of destination. However, travelers’ own experiences appear to exert greater influence on their decision making than do friendships.