Analysis of tourist flows and the comfort of guided tours in the Seu-Cathedral district of Valencia using participant observation and digital itinerary monitoring tools

Abstract

[ES] One of the challenges facing tourist destinations is to increase knowledge about aspects such as security concerning its implementation, measurement and evaluation to ensure the comfort of the visit. Tourist groups, both spontaneous and organised, that pass through the historic centre of a city are a permanent and fundamental element in the development of the tourist experience. However, it is necessary to know the routes taken by the guided groups to avoid concentrations of visitors that could impede mobility and hinder the daily lives of other residents. To obtain more information about this tourist activity, this study focuses on the study of the group's situations of insecurity and discomfort during the tour. The methodology consisted of participant observation on the routes usually followed by these guided groups applied to the Seu-Cathedral neighbourhood in Valencia. The Wikilocs tool was also used to monitor the route and detect the number of encounters and places of congestion. The results point to the need to plan the safety aspects of the visits, especially traffic and transit obstacles, the identification of congestion situations and the holding of periodic events, as well as the study of shaded areas and the incorporation of outdoor furniture to increase the number of visitors.