What are the Most Critical Factors for Competitiveness of a Tourism Destination?

Abstract

Despite the diversity of studies in competitiveness, thus far there has been little research aimed at capturing and measuring the effects of different factors of competitiveness in the tourism sector. This research, based upon the cross-referencing of primary and secondary data, pioneers the identification of the different facets contributing towards tourism sector competitiveness through proposing and implementing a new tourism competitiveness model. Additionally, the authors explore which factors contribute most and are susceptible to leveraging the competitiveness of tourism destinations by tourism region. They conclude that the competitiveness of a specific tourism destination depends on a combination of various dimensions and factors with direct and indirect relationships and influences according to the characteristics of the respective tourism region. Some implications and future challenges are also set out.