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Assessing the ability of regions to attract foreign tourists: The case of Italy

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  • Bernardina Algieri
  • Antonio à lvarez

Abstract

This study examines the ability of Italian regions to attract foreign tourists and the factors influencing the choice of regional destinations using a novel Stochastic Frontier Demand Model. The results show that several factors including climate, seasonality, cultural heritage and infrastructures influence tourism performance. Easy accessibility to World Heritage Sites drives international tourism demand too. On average, Southern regions lie below the stochastic frontier and are inefficient, while Northern regions tend to be efficient. Calabria, Sardinia and Molise have a low ability to entice foreign tourists, while Veneto maximizes the number of tourist arrivals, overnight stays and expenditures. JEL Classification : C51; R11; Z32.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernardina Algieri & Antonio à lvarez, 2023. "Assessing the ability of regions to attract foreign tourists: The case of Italy," Tourism Economics, , vol. 29(3), pages 788-811, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:29:y:2023:i:3:p:788-811
    DOI: 10.1177/13548166211068669
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    regions; tourism demand; stochastic frontier; efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • Z32 - Other Special Topics - - Tourism Economics - - - Tourism and Development

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