Input-output analysis and evaluation of regional economics impacts of tourism: theoretical reflections and a review of research (364)

Theme Track: Methods of Spatial Analysis - Input-Output Techniques

Authors:
Eusébio, Celeste ; Castro, Eduardo ; Costa, Carlos

Tourism is one the world's largest and most rapidly growing industries. In 1999, the total international tourism receipts amounted 598.8 US$ Bn and is a major source of employment (WTO, 1999). As a result, the interest in measuring the economics effects of this activity has grown substantially over the last quarter century. However, tourism remains difficult to define and measure, because it's complicated to examine its conceptual framework and to define the most appropriate methodology.

In spite of this reality, it's necessary to accomplish more studies to evaluate the importance of tourism industry for regional economy. This kind of research would enable to define better tourism development plans and, consequently, to increase the competitiveness of this activity. The results of the tourism regional economic impact studies are strongly correlated with the methods that are used.

There are a variety of methods that can be used to measure the economic impacts and the effects associated with tourism expenditure. The input-output analysis has been both praised and attacked as an appropriate method in this field. In this context, this paper will examine the use of input-output analysis in the regional economic impacts of tourism. To accomplish this objective, a critical evaluation of the input-output models was done, in order to assess the utility, credibility and validity of this tool in the analysis of tourism regional economic impacts.

Further, it was done a review of the studies accomplished in this field in the last decades, where the input-output analyse was used.

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