Measuring the multiplier effect of regional tourism and its spatial distribution in Indonesia before and after the COVID-19

Abstract

PurposeThe tourism multiplier effect (TME) is the total economic impact of tourism demand, representing the linkages between tourism and other businesses in an area. However, study about it is limited in Indonesia, especially at the provincial level and after the COVID-19 crisis. This study aims to estimate the TME in all provinces of Indonesia, test its differences in priority and non-priority areas before and after the COVID-19 crisis, analyze its spatial distribution and examine the determinant factor of TMEDesign/methodology/approachThis study applies an input-output model to measure the TME of all provinces in Indonesia, an independent sample t-test to examine the similarity of TME in priority and nonpriority areas, a paired sample t-test to examine the similarity of it before and after the COVID-19 crisis, and spatial analysis to check its spatial relationship.FindingsThe result shows that regional TME ranges from 1.25 to 2.05 in 2019, which changed slightly over time. The empirical result shows the TME difference before and after the COVID-19 crisis, and there is a spatial correlation in terms of TME with the hot spots are clustered in the eastern region of Indonesia, However, there was a slight change in the position of hot spots during the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, the spatial model shows that value-added and employment in agriculture, manufacturing, trade and transportation affect the size of TME.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the academic literature by providing the first estimate of the TME at the provincial level in Indonesia, comparing the it in priority and non-priority areas before and after the COVID-19 crisis, and mapping its spatial distribution.