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GIS-Based Kernel Analysis for Tourism Flow Mapping

Mărgărit-Mircea NISTOR1*, Alexandru-Sabin NICULA2,3, Ştefan DEZSI3, Dănuţ PETREA4, Shankar Acharya KAMARAJUGEDDA5, Iulius-Andrei CAREBIA6
* Corresponding author
1 Earth Research Company, Department of GIS and Cartography, Cluj-Napoca, ROMANIA

2 Romanian Academy, National Institute for Economic Research "Costin C. Kiritescu" of the Romanian Academy/Centre for Mountain Economy (CE-MONT), Vatra Dornei, ROMANIA
3 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography, Centre for Research on Settlements and Urbanism, Cluj-Napoca, ROMANIA
4 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography, Cluj-Napoca, ROMANIA
5 Nanyang Technological University, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Singapore, SINGAPORE
6 German European School, Singapore, SINGAPORE

E-mail: rendddel@yahoo.com, sabin.nicula@gmail.com, stefan.dezsi@ubbcluj.ro, danut.petrea@ubbcluj.ro, shankaracharya001@gmail.com, icarebia@gmail.com
Pages: 137-145

Abstract. The variation of tourism flow and its spatial representation are indispensable for transport companies, accommodation facilities and future estimations regarding the international arrivals. The major implication for tourism flow mapping is related to the country of origin of tourists, their liquid assets, and tourism statistical database. The approach of tourism flow mapping representation, at least using lines and density, should be based on the spatial characteristics of the objects. In this study, the database consisting of international arrivals in different cities of Romania was used as an example. Thus, GIS-based Kernel density of the tourists’ flow was proposed. To illustrate the international demand, data on arrivals for 33 countries over the period 2015-2017 were used. ‘XY To Line’ and ‘Kernel Density’ functions served to create the convergence lines between the origin countries and Romania. The very high density was found for the European countries with an increase of 13% and 25% between 2015 and 2016, as well as between 2015 and 2017. Map analysis indicated an increase of the density area by 0.7% for 2016 and 1.7% for 2017. The proposed methods, including lines and density, contribute to the mapping of the flow of the international arrivals in Romania. 

K e y w o r d s: tourism flow, spatiality, international arrivals, GIS mapping, Romania