What Attracts Tourists to Paradise?

Author/Editor:

Evridiki Tsounta

Publication Date:

December 1, 2008

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper investigates the determinants of tourism demand in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. We estimate the demand function in a panel setting using annual data from 1979 to 2005. Results show that tourism arrivals are significantly affected by economic developments in the source countries, while price considerations and external shocks (such as hurricanes and wars) are also important. Supply factors, such as developments in foreign direct investment and the number of airlines servicing a destination, are also found to be significant determinants of tourism demand.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2008/277

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

December 1, 2008

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451871357/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2008277

Pages:

20

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