International Comparative and Competitive Advantage of Post-Soviet Countries in Tourism

Abstract

In this study, the comparative and competitive advantage of Post-Soviet countries in the tourism sector is examined. Firstly, whether the tourism sector of the countries included in the sample developed between 1995 and 2018 was examined. Revealed Comparative Advantages Index which is developed by Balassa and Expanded Balassa Index were used to analyze the comparative and competitive advantage of countries, respectively, which are the main purpose of the study. The results of the study, which are calculated based on the data obtained from the database of the World Bank, provide information especially regarding the advantageous position of Georgia regarding Balassa Index. In addition to Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Estonia and Uzbekistan have international comparative advantage and when the situation of the countries is evaluated over the EB index it is concluded to, Tajikistan and Georgia have strong, Kyrgyz Republic and Moldova have medium, Latvia, Estonia, Armenia, Lithuania and Belarus have weak competitive advantage. The research is important in terms of the policies that Post Soviet countries will form within the scope of tourism sectors.