Network science: a review focused on tourism

TL;DR

This review explores network science methods applied to tourism, illustrating how network structures influence information diffusion and destination management through a case study of Elba, Italy.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of network analysis techniques in tourism and demonstrates their application with a case study on information diffusion and stakeholder cohesion.

Findings

Network typology affects information diffusion.

Stakeholder cohesion enhances diffusion.

Adaptive capacity improves destination management.

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the methods of the science of networks with an application to the field of tourism studies. The basic definitions and computational techniques are described and a case study (Elba, Italy) used to illustrate the effect of network typology on information diffusion. A static structural characterization of the network formed by destination stakeholders is derived from stakeholder interviews and website link analysis. This is followed by a dynamic analysis of the information diffusion process within the destination demonstrating that stakeholder cohesion and adaptive capacity have a positive effect on information diffusion. The outcomes and the implications of this analysis for improving destination management are discussed.