Analyzing the impact of the spread of COVID-19 infections on people’s movement in tourist destinations

Abstract

This study uses “Mobile Kukan Toukei™” (MOBILE SPATIAL STATISTICS) to analyze the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection on people's movements in tourist destinations in Kansai region (mainly Kyoto). Mobile Kukan Toukei is statistical population data created by the operational data of mobile phone networks. Comparison of the data before and after the spread of the disease showed that the impact was remarkable in many areas in April 2020. Urban areas such as Kyoto Station and Osaka Station showed relatively more robust recovery. However, several tourist areas could not bounce back despite the “GoTo” campaign by the Japanese government.