Analysis of cultural tourists' behaviors through global positioning (GPS) technology: the case of Orta Lake visitors.

It is widely recognized that cultural tourism is a relevant economic phenomenon but so far the determinants of cultural tourists choices have not been explored in depth in the economic literature. This paper aims at investigating, from the theoretical as well as the empirical point of view, cultural tourists profiles: once these profiles are defined we also try to estimate what factors affect the choice of “strongly motivated” cultural tourists, using econometric analysis. The analysis is carried out using a unique database, consisting of data and information on the preferences, behaviour and socio-economic characteristics of visitors in the area surrounding the Orta Lake in Italy. A peculiar feature of such a database is that it combines data obtained through surveys as well as through global positioning system (GPS) technology, the latter monitoring the spatial-temporal flows generated by tourists. Unlike other empirical studies carried out in destinations with only a strong cultural characterization, the mixed features of the Orta Lake (a mix of culture, nature and sport/recreation attractions) allow for carrying out an analysis with a wider scope and for understanding the interdependencies among the different motivations for the visit.