Investigating the Potential of A Smartphone Application for Tourists to Promote Sustainable Mobility

This paper aims to assess ways in which cities can enhance the information tourists receive about the pedestrian network for promoting sustainable mobility. Specifically, the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and particularly, a smartphone pedestrian navigation app is examined as a solution to the promotion of sustainable mobility. It is examined whether tourists are more willing to walk, if they are provided with suitable information regarding appropriate walking routes that include sightseeing. In this way, we hope to attain useful information and insight into the cognitive behaviour, attitudes and mentality of tourists, in the hopes of promoting sustainable transport modes. To examine this issue, a survey was carried out in the tourist area in the city of Paphos, Cyprus. A questionnaire was distributed to tourists in Paphos, consisting of a variety of questions related to their travel experience and sustainable mobility. It was found that, although people are keen to engage in active mobility, they would be more interested in walking if they receive relevant information about the pedestrian environment. Further, people declare interest in a smartphone application that would provide such information. Providing information with the use of smartphone technology, is a very attractive policy for the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and municipal authorities to better inform tourists regarding enjoyable walking routes. In this way, more tourists will be motivated to walk and thereby, contribute to sustainable mobility but also to a more enjoyable travel experience.