Methodology of a travel survey on non-residents of a territory

Traditional travel surveys typically exclude non-residents, resulting in incomplete mobility data for regions with significant tourist activity. To address this limitation, the Summer Non-Resident Travel Survey (AUE NRTS 2018), conducted in Corsica during the 2018 peak tourist season, employed an innovative methodology combining time-location sampling with the Generalized Weight Share Method (GWSM). This approach enabled the collection of robust and unbiased data on tourist mobility. Spanning from mid-June to mid-September, the survey covered 34 sites across four geographic zones, including key tourist attractions, accommodations, and entry/exit points. A detailed questionnaire gathered sociodemographic characteristics, travel behavior, and transportation modes, resulting in a sample of 6,143 respondents. Fieldwork was further supported by external data sources, such as arrival statistics from the Corsican Regional Tourism Observatory (ORTC). Conducted by the Corsican Agency for Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, and Energy (AUE), the AUE NRTS 2018 offers critical insights for the development of sustainable tourism and transportation policies. Its methodological innovations make it a transferable model for other regions aiming to understand and manage non-resident mobility more effectively..