Visitors’ spatio-temporal behavior at a zoo in China

Abstract

ABSTRACT Information on tourists’ spatio-temporal behavior is useful for destination marketing and management. GPS data collection, GIS and statistical analyses of survey data from a zoo in Beijing are reported. Results indicate that seven behavior patterns exist that are distinct according to demography and visit attributes. Tourist behavior is influenced by animal features (e.g. the number of animals, endangerment category, feeding habits and aggressiveness), the environment (exhibition openness and hygiene), and service facility attributes (e.g. retail facilities, toilets, recreational facilities and catering services). The findings provide insight into the behavioral characteristics of Chinese zoo visitors and factors that influence them. The results can be used to enhance environmental and exhibition design, visitor flow forecasts and tourists flow distribution.