Evaluating the Regional Impact of a New Road on Tourism

Abstract

Ferri J. (2004) Evaluating the regional impact of a new road on tourism, Reg. Studies 38, 409–418. The aim of this work is to establish whether the opening of a motorway that extends along the east coast of Spain has significantly contributed to expanding hotel tourism in the Valencia region. Some of the most important tourist destinations in Spain, both domestic and international, are located in this region, such as Benidorm, Peñíscola and Gandía. The A-7 motorway, also part of the E-15 road network, is not only a faster and safer means of road communication for tourists but also provides a new gate to Europe, connecting with other motorways. Using monthly data on nights spent in hotels by residents in Spain and abroad, an intervention analysis has been performed for the three different provinces in the Valencia region: Valencia, Castellón and Alicante. Robustness of the results has been checked by means of three different approaches. The conclusion is that the impact on tourism of the motorway has been varied and depends on three factors: (1) the origin of the tourism; (2) the province of destination; and (3) the section of the motorway in question.