Use of GIS and Remote Sensing in Tourism
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Date
2020
Authors
Magige, James M.
Jepkosgei, Charlynne
Onywere, S. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based information system using special tools to manage location-based data and their attributes
for decision-making. Geospatial functions cut across many fields and support
problem solving through geodata design and analysis. GIS have been used, for
example, in environmental conservation and wildlife management. Its use in
tourism planning, development and management, and marketing of destination
products is only a more recent approach. The adoption of the technology affects
both the sustainability of environmental resources and the quality of tourists’
experience. The purpose of this chapter is, first, to explore the functionalities
and usage potentials of GIS in the tourism domain. Second, two studies of
Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Nairobi National Park portray how GIS and
satellite remote sensing imagery is applied to assess the ecosystem’s changes,
their causes, and major implications. Examination of Landsat satellite image data
for 2000 and 2017 shows that due to conversion of areas to farmlands and settlements, the coverage of Mau Forest Complex, the main catchment area for the
Mara ecosystem, had reduced by 30.2% and vegetation by 22.8%. The analysis
of Nairobi National Park showed that the Kitengela wildlife migration corridor
has been completely encroached by human settlement and mining activities, thus
seriously compromising the performance of the ecosystem. Mapping of human
development pressure on the ecosystem using GIS technologies can be used to
assess and manage the tourism resources potential in conjunction to biodiversity
conservation as a critical element in improving wildlife as a tourism destination
product.
Description
A chapter in: Xiang Z., Fuchs M., Gretzel U., Höpken W. (eds) Handbook of e-Tourism. Springer, Cham.
Keywords
Geospatial functions, Ecosystem, Satellite remote sensing imagery, Tourism, Wildlife management
Citation
Magige J.M., Jepkosgei C., Onywere S.M. (2020) Use of GIS and Remote Sensing in Tourism. In: Xiang Z., Fuchs M., Gretzel U., Höpken W. (eds) Handbook of e-Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05324-6_118-1