Scoping out urban areas of tourist interest though geolocated social media data: Bucharest as a case study

Abstract Social media data has frequently sourced research on topics such as traveller planning or the factors that influence travel decisions. The literature location of tourist activities, however, is scarce. studies in this line do exist focus mainly identifying points interest and rarely urban areas attract tourists. Specifically, acknowledged literature, attractions produce major imbalances with respect to adjacent areas. present study aims fill gap by addressing a twofold objective. first was design methodology allowing identify preferred based concentrations places activities. area delimited using Instasights heatmaps information were identified linking from location-based social network Foursquare TripAdvisor’s database. second objective delimit users’ existing dynamics. method provides thorough understanding functional diversity city’s different functions. In way, it contributes better spatial distribution Tourist revealed via identification preferences experiences. A novel thus created can be used future tourism strategies or, indeed, planning. city Bucharest, Romania, taken case develop exploratory research.