Determinants of Tourist Spending in Cross-Sectional Studies and at Danish Destinations

Abstract

This article begins with a meta-analysis style review of the determinants of tourist spending according to more than 50 cross-sectional studies published in academic journal articles during the period 1995–2009. The studies are grouped using factor analysis based on the determinants included or not included in each study. Following the structured review, a conceptual model of the determinants of tourist spending is proposed. In the empirical part of the study, which is based on a survey with more than 11,000 respondents, the determinants of spending are analysed using multiple regression analysis. Eighteen determinants are tested in seven different models. All 18 determinants are significant in the ‘spending per person per night’ model. The additional six models include three subdivisions of this core ‘per person per night’ model into (ii) transport, (iii) accommodation and (iv) other spending. The other three are: (v) per travel party per night, (vi) per person per stay and (vii) per travel party per stay. The 18 sets of tested determinants are: type of accommodation, length of stay, travel party size, destination, travel distance, origin market, purpose of travel, mode of transport, activities, age group, packaging, income, purchase channel, information sources, gender, first-time versus repeat visit, motives and season.