Hot Spot Analysis Versus Cluster and Outlier Analysis: an Enquiry Into the Grouping of Rural Accommodation in Extremadura (Spain)
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International Journal of Geo-Information Article Hot Spot Analysis versus Cluster and Outlier Analysis: An Enquiry into the Grouping of Rural Accommodation in Extremadura (Spain) José-Manuel Sánchez-Martín 1,* , Juan-Ignacio Rengifo-Gallego 2 and Rocío Blas-Morato 2 1 Faculty of Business, Finance and Tourism, University of Extremadura, 10071 Caceres, Spain 2 Faculty of Letters, University of Extremadura, 10071 Caceres, Spain; [email protected] (J.-I.R.-G.); [email protected] (R.B.-M.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 13 February 2019; Accepted: 1 April 2019; Published: 4 April 2019 Abstract: The importance of the distribution of accommodation businesses over a certain area has grown remarkably, especially if such distribution is mapped using tools and techniques that utilize the territory as a variable in the analysis. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate, by means of a geographical information system (GIS) and spatial statistics, that it is possible to better define the groupings of rural accommodation available in Extremadura, Spain, especially if these are conceptualized by dint of their lodging capacity. To do so, two specific techniques have been used: hotspot analysis and outlier analysis, which yield results that prove the existence of homogeneous and heterogeneous groups of accommodation businesses, based not only on their spatial proximity but also on their lodging capacity. On the basis of this analysis, the regional administration can devise tourist policies and strategic plans in order to improve the management and efficiency of each business. Despite the applicability of the present results, this study also addresses the difficulties in using these techniques—Where establishing the spatial relationships and the boundary distance are key concepts. In the case study here, the ideal configuration utilizes a fixed distance of six miles. Keywords: hot spot analysis; cluster and outlier analysis; rural tourism; rural accommodation; Extremadura 1. Introduction The number of accommodation businesses has experienced a significant rise in Extremadura, one of the landlocked regions of Spain, typically characterized by its peripheric, borderland status. In addition, transport infrastructure is based on roadways, whereas other means of transportation are limited and cannot structure the region efficiently [1,2]. Extremadura, a region that chose to implement expansive tourist plans—Sometimes incoherent and lacking in planning—Also paid no attention to its limitations. For example, its rich heritage has often been overrated, as it is very difficult to make it a profitable tourist resource by configuring it into a manageable product [3]. Despite the above, political leaders of the administration strive to point out the development of the tourist industry by highlighting the rise in the region’s lodging capacity. However, they fail to mention that the occupancy rate is very low, especially among rural accommodation businesses. Of course, they also overlook the fact that tourists and visitors have not grown at the same pace as available accommodation, which has resulted in a critical imbalance during the recent economic crisis. Also, it is not uncommon to see general analyses made about the whole region, thus neglecting the diverse situations that different towns may specifically have. Furthermore, there have been no geographical studies where the basic unit is the accommodation business; at best, previous analyses have been based on the municipality as a unit of measurement, which is enough to have a rough idea at ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2019, 8, 176; doi:10.3390/ijgi8040176 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijgi ISPRSISPRS Int. J. Int. Geo-Inf. J. Geo-Inf.2019 2019, 8, 176, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 272 of 27 geographical studies where the basic unit is the accommodation business; at best, previous analyses the regionalhave been level, based but on obviously the municipality necessitates as a unit further of measurement, investigation which (Figure is enough1a). In to this have regard, a rough it idea is worth mentioningat the regional that municipalities level, but obviously involve necessitates a high degree further of variation,investigation since (Figure they 1a). contain In this a varyingregard, it number is of accommodationworth mentioning businesses that municipalities and, consequently, involve a high a varying degree lodgingof variation, capacity. since they This contain is the justificationa varying of number of accommodation businesses and, consequently, a varying lodging capacity. This is the a territorial analysis that takes into consideration the location of the rural accommodation businesses, justification of a territorial analysis that takes into consideration the location of the rural as wellaccommodation as their main businesses, features—among as well as whichtheir main the features—among number of available which beds the number (lodging of capacity)available is a significantbeds (lodging parameter capacity) (Figure is a1 significantb). parameter (Figure 1b). (a) (b) FigureFigure 1. Study 1. Study area area and and main roadways, roadways, represented represented in term ins termsof the distribution of the distribution of rural lodging of rural capacity lodging capacitybased based on the on municipality the municipality (a) and the (a) number and the of number accommodation of accommodation businesses. (b businesses.) Data for 2018. (b) Data for 2018. In lineIn line with with the the above, above, it it must must be be notednoted thatthat the overall overall rural rural accommodation accommodation network network in in ExtremaduraExtremadura has has been been growing growing steadily steadily inin itsits twotwo basic modalities: modalities: rural rural hotels hotels and andrural rural lodgings, lodgings, the latter also comprising the specific subdivision of rural apartment hotel/lodging. According to the the latter also comprising the specific subdivision of rural apartment hotel/lodging. According to data from the Survey on the Occupancy of Rural Tourist Lodgings (EOTR in its Spanish initials), the data from the Survey on the Occupancy of Rural Tourist Lodgings (EOTR in its Spanish initials), published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), there were approximately 104 businesses of this publishedtype in by 2001, the and National in total Statistics939 beds available Institute [4]. (INE), However, there by were 2018, approximatelyaccording to the Registry 104 businesses of Tourist of this type inActivity 2001, of and the in Extremadura total 939 beds Regional available Government [4]. However,, there byexist 2018, 797 rural according accommodation to the Registry businesses of Tourist Activityand ofthe the lodging Extremadura capacity amounts Regional 8485 Government, beds [5]. there exist 797 rural accommodation businesses and the lodgingRural accommodation capacity amounts occupies 8485 841 beds direct [5]. employees [4] and indirect employees should also be Ruraladded accommodationto this total. These occupies values are 841 very direct low employeesif we take into [4] andaccount indirect the numerous employees attractions should alsoof be addedExtremadura to this total. and These in particular values areif it very is consid low ifered we takethat intoin December account the2018 numerous there were attractions 114,000 of Extremaduraunemployed and workers in particular in the ifregion it is considered[4]. This figure that represents in December an unemployment 2018 there were rate 114,000 of 23.1% unemployed but the situation is made worse by the fact that the rate for men is 18.6% while that for women is as high as workers in the region [4]. This figure represents an unemployment rate of 23.1% but the situation 28.8%. For this reason it is necessary to encourage the development of rural tourism by offering is madetourist worse products by the adapted fact that to the the area, rate although for men in is order 18.6% to whiledo so we that must for understand women is asthe highproblems as 28.8%. For thisfaced reason by accommodation it is necessary establishments to encourage and contrast the development it with the enormously of rural tourism rich heritage by offering of the area. tourist products adapted to the area, although in order to do so we must understand the problems faced by accommodation establishments and contrast it with the enormously rich heritage of the area. Yet, this increase has been more intense in some areas, which makes it necessary to carry out a geographical analysis in order to get an approximate idea of the present situation. Admittedly, there have been interesting studies that have performed territorial analyses on a local level [6], but have failed to be precise enough to pinpoint each hotel/lodging. ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2019, 8, 176 3 of 27 The analysis area spans 4,163,400 ha—1,257,787.05 of which are protected because of their biodiversity, since they comprise ecosystems highly valuable for wildlife, especially in the case of birds. The area includes the Monfragüe National Park, one of the best preserved examples of Mediterranean forest in Europe [7], as well as several Special Zones for Birdlife Protection (ZEPA) and Special Protection Zones (ZEC). This wealth of wildlife is complemented by a diverse cultural heritage that is epitomized by symbolic tourist destinations like Cáceres, Mérida or Guadalupe—all of them United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites—Together with other towns that have been granted Historical Grouping