Beyond Input-Output Analysis: Using Occupation-Based Modeling to Estimate Wages Generated by a Sport Tourism Event

Abstract

Few tourism researchers have questioned input-output model results as the end point of economic impact analysis, with findings centered on direct, indirect, and induced impacts. An extension of input-output analysis introduced in this study is occupation-based modeling. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate occupation-based modeling as a means of illustrating job categories affected and associated wages generated by tourist spending at a sport event. Occupation-based modeling begins with an input-output model, with selected results applied to employment and wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A youth softball tournament was analyzed to illustrate the movement from input-output modeling to occupation-based modeling. Examples of long- and short-term interpretations of resulting estimates are included. Occupation-based modeling allows for a thorough understanding of the specific types of jobs and resulting wage income that accompany a change in final demand to an economy due to a tourism initiative.