A Comparison of First Time and Repeat Visitors' Tourism Destination -Focusing on Seoul City

This paper investigates differences of tourism destination choices for sightseeing in Seoul between first-time visitors and repeat visitors. We constructed social network using secondary data from '2015 International Visitor Survey' and analyzed its density and centrality. Study results find that: (1) first-time and repeat visitors' tourism destinations are concentrated in areas located north of the Han river. The proximity of destinations suggests the positive effects resulting from the movement network. (2) As the result of degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, the highest ranking tourism destinations for both visitor groups are identical, but indexes of centralities in repeat visitors' destinations increase, including Shinchon/ Hongik University, Gangnam station, and Garosu-gil. Therefore, the roles of these destinations are becoming established as tourism hubs and are popular among younger visitors as well as attract repeat visitors. Results of this study will be a useful reference in developing and managing new tourism products.