Interactive design of personalised tourism routes

• Published in: Tourism management (1982) 2012-08, Vol.33 (4), p.926-940
• Main Authors: Rodríguez, Beatriz, Molina, Julián, Pérez, Fátima, Caballero, Rafael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Multiple criteria decision making; Personalised trip; Tourism routes; Tourist support
• ISSN: 0261-5177; 1879-3193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2011.09.014

The tourism sector has evolved in recent times, with a transformation in tourists’ preferences and behaviour. They are increasingly abandoning standard tours in favour of more personalised options. New technologies offer easy access to a large amount of tourism information. However, this also means it is difficult for a decision-maker to assess all the possible alternatives for designing a customised trip. Making such decisions may well require the resolution of conflicting objectives. Therefore, in this paper we develop a tool that provides each tourist with the itinerary best suited to their needs. This itinerary can include the desired different activities on an established schedule, bearing in mind the tourist’s wishes and needs, along with the characteristics of the area. This is done by using a mathematical model and interactive multi-criteria techniques. Finally, we will carry out a practical application in the Autonomous Region of Andalusia. ► Tourists are abandoning standard tours in favour of more personalised options. ► It is difficult to assess all the alternatives for designing a customised trip. ► We develop a tool that provides the itinerary best suited to tourist’ needs. ► This itinerary includes the activities on an established schedule. ► This is done by using a mathematical model and interactive multi-criteria techniques.