Estimating multicountry tourism flows by transport mode

Abstract

This article describes the methodology used to obtain a harmonized database of country-to-country flows of tourists and visitors built upon the UNWTO original database. Focusing on 74 countries for the period 1995–2018 and starting with data on outbound tourism, we develop a methodology using other alternative indicators from the UNWTO which fills the gaps related to two main indicators (Foreign Visitors by country of Residence and Foreign Tourists by country of Residence). Subsequently, intra-national domestic tourism and the transport mode specific flows are obtained. The paper finally contrasts the robustness of the results obtained with the gravity equation for all flows, thereby confirming the solvency of the process and the final data retrieved.