Understanding Crowding Dynamics : The Relationship Between Subjective Crowding and Objective Visitor Numbers in Touristic City Centers

Titelangaben

Bergler, Marina ; Rebholz, Dominik ; Keller, Robert ; Reif, Julian:
Understanding Crowding Dynamics : The Relationship Between Subjective Crowding and Objective Visitor Numbers in Touristic City Centers.
In: Roth, Ralf ; Türk, Stefan (Hrsg.): Outdoor-Sport-Tourismus : Trends, Innovationen und Erfolgsfaktoren. - Berlin : De Gruyter , 2025 . - S. 37-52
ISBN 9783111706511
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111706511-004

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Abstract

Crowding is a frequently discussed issue in tourism, impacting both visitors and residents of touristic city centers and beyond. Initially, crowding as a subjective construct is examined in detail by taking into account influencing factors as well as negative and positive crowding phenomena. Subsequently, this study examines the relationship between subjective crowding and actual visitor numbers in the town of Füssen in the Allgäu region by investigating the interplay between objective counting data and subjective crowding perceptions with on-site field research. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining subjective feedback from visitors via terminals with objective counts from camera sensors. In addition, external factors such as weather and public holidays are taken into account in order to investigate their influence on the perception of crowding using SHAP values. By identifying patterns in crowding perceptions, this study aims to enrich research in this field with new insights from an innovative research approach and to advance the management of visitor flows. Thereby, both tourist experiences and residents’ quality of life in touristic city centers should be enhanced.