Tourists on the Costa Daurada: 49% go on excursions and half choose public transport if it is competitive

A URV study reveals that almost half of tourists take excursions and that public transport could gain ground over private cars.

Turistes gaudint del transport públic a la Costa Daurada amb serveis eficients i sostenibles — Imagen de la Fuente — Tourists enjoying public transport on the Costa Daurada with efficient and sustainable services — Image from the Source

Júlia Gual

Updated: 05/07/26 | 16:43

A recent study by the Rovira i Virgili University shows that tourists do not reject public transport if it is an attractive and competitive option.

Public transport can be the key to reducing environmental impact and improving the tourist experience if it adapts to the real needs of visitors and local attractions.

How tourists move around the Costa Daurada

What percentage of tourists go on excursions and how do they choose their transport?

Nearly 48.7% of surveyed tourists took at least one excursion during their stay. Of these, more than half traveled by private car, but the difference between public and private transport diminishes when the destination is a well-connected city or has parking difficulties.

Why do tourists switch between car and public transport?

Visitors value the available options depending on the type of excursion. For example, they prefer train or coach to go to Barcelona, while for shorter routes or with less public offer they opt for the car. This relationship is not exclusive but complementary, according to Daniel Miravet, URV researcher.

Key factors to promote sustainable tourist mobility

What conditions must public transport have to be attractive?

Services must be frequent, reliable, and well connect accommodation areas with important tourist spots. In addition, measures such as traffic restrictions, parking regulation, and shuttle services can facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable model.

How can mobility be coordinated with tourist planning?

The decision of where to go and how to get there is made simultaneously. Therefore, tourist planning and mobility planning must go hand in hand, ensuring that new itineraries and activities are accessible without relying on the car.

Impact and opportunities for the Costa Daurada and other destinations

Why is this study of interest to tourist territories?

The results provide clues to reduce the use of private vehicles without losing attractiveness. The flexibility detected between car and public transport can help implement policies that offer real and competitive alternatives for visitors.

What measures can take advantage of this complementarity?

Encouraging public transport with integrated passes, improving frequency and coverage, and better managing public space for private vehicles are key strategies to change tourists' habits.

Aspect	Private transport	Public transport
Main use	Short excursions, less connected destinations	Large and well-connected cities (e.g., Barcelona)
Flexibility	Complementary depending on destination and conditions	Can increase with service improvements
Choice factors	Parking, comfort, flexibility	Frequency, connections, integrated fares

This study provides valuable information for public policies aiming to reduce the environmental footprint and improve the quality of the tourist experience, especially in high-pressure areas such as the Costa Daurada.

Improving public transport and coordinating it with tourist planning is not only possible but necessary to guarantee a sustainable and attractive future for residents and visitors.

Tourist mobility is a complex challenge, but this work shows that the key lies in offering options that adapt to the reality of tourists and the territory. And this can change the course of the Costa Daurada and other similar destinations.