High-speed trains and tourists: what is the link? Evidence from the French and Spanish capitals

The objective of this paper is to analyse the factors influencing tourists’ choice of a destination and the role of High Speed Rail (HSR) systems in this choice. The methodology proposed consists in analysing two capitals in Europe, i.e. Paris and Madrid where HSR services are important, to investigate the factors influencing holidaymakers in choosing these cities, and the role of HSR in this choice. The main outcome of this paper is to show that several factors influence the choice of a tourist, like the presence of architectural sites, the quality of promotion of the destination itself, the presence of events, and also HSR services. However the authors found that the HSR system has affected the choice of Paris and Madrid in a different way. Concerning the French case study, HSR is considered a real transport mode alternative among tourists, therefore HSR is chosen to reach Paris as well as for revisiting it. On the other hand, Madrid is chosen by tourists irrespective on the presence of HSR, while HSR is chosen for reaching cities close to Madrid. Data collected from the two surveys have been used for a further quantitative analysis. Models have been specified and calibrated to identify the factors influencing holidaymakers to revisit Paris and Madrid and the role of HSR in this choice has been highlighted.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.2495/UT140021
• Record URL:
  http://library.witpress.com/pages/PaperInfo.asp?PaperID=26122
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.witpress.com/978-1-84564-778-0.html
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from WIT Press.
• Corporate Authors:

  WIT Press

  Ashurst Lodge
  Ashurst, Southampton  United Kingdom  SO40 7AA
• Authors:
  • Pagliara, F
  • Delaplace, M
  • Vassallo, J M
• Conference:
  • 20th International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment
  • Location: Faro Algarve, Portugal
  • Date: 2014-5-28 to 2014-5-30
• Publication Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 17-27
• Monograph Title: Urban Transport XX
• Serial:
  • WIT Transactions on the Built Environment
  • Issue Number: 138
  • Publisher: Wessex Institute of Technology
  • ISSN: 1743-3509
  • Serial URL: http://library.witpress.com/pages/listBooks.asp?tID=2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Activity choices; Choice models; High speed rail; Tourism; Tourists; Travel surveys
• Geographic Terms: Madrid (Spain); Paris (France)
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01534694
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9781845647780
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 2014 11:57AM