International Tourist Flows Research Articles

MARKETING TOOLS FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FLOWS BALANCING: EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE AND POLAND

The article provides a comparative analysis of trends in domestic and foreign tourism in Ukraine and Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main directions and tools of marketing policy of balancing tourist flows for socio-economic development of the researched countries are analyzed. The main subject of the research is marketing tools for balancing international tourist flows in the investigated countries, taking into account the experience of other countries in which the field of tourism is developed. The research methodology provides for the analysis of the dynamics of tourist flows in Poland and Ukraine, the use of methods and tools of fuzzy logic using Mathlab software and the use of a matrix method of analysis to study the development of tourism at the regional level. The study used data from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund in post-socialist countries, as well as the results of the Global Market Research-2020 and data from statistical agencies of Ukraine and Poland. It is emphasized that formation of an effective marketing policy to balance the flow of international tourism at the local level should be with the participation of the private sector and local governments. The purpose of the article: outline marketing tools for balancing international tourism flows in Ukraine and Poland, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusions. In summary, the study identified such generalized tools of modern marketing that are most relevant in the development of policies to balance tourist flows in Ukraine and Poland, as well as in other countries, especially in the pandemic Covid-19: creating content for electronic networks (content), social media marketing (SMM), landing page or standard website, search engine optimization (SEO), media advertising, teaser advertising, consumer product support, e-mails (emails), viral marketing, strategic partnership, CPA-marketing, creation of a marketing channel, application of a comprehensive strategy of smart-tourism.

Do Regional Trade Agreements Enhance International Tourism Flows? Evidence from a Cross-Country Analysis

This study investigates the effect of regional trade agreements (RTAs)—including preferential and free trade agreements, customs unions, and common markets—on bilateral tourism flows. We explore these effects using a panel gravity data set of 163 destination countries, 171 source countries, and 13,589 country-pairs from 1995 to 2015. This is the first large cross-country study to undertake such an integrated analysis using the gravity framework. Results show that all types of RTAs have a positive and significant effect on bilateral tourism flows. The overall indicator of RTAs that captures the combined effect of all types of RTAs on bilateral tourism flows is also positive and significant, on average, as well as when different regions are separately evaluated. These findings underscore the importance of strong economic integration in fostering international tourism flows. Policies aimed at improving a country’s economic integration with other countries can help promote international tourism flows.

Multiplier Effect of Tourism

Culture plays an important role for boosting up tourism. This study was conducted to understand how the culture of Bangladesh and sustainable development issues are showcased in Bangladesh Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation. The paper attempts to find out the tourist stream and for forming sustainable tourism and society. In this study, qualitative method, interviews, Key Informant Interviews (KII), and quantitative method, and analyzing software excel (time series analysis) were used. Moreover, 30 years'temperature was analyzed to understand the weather impact on tourist flow. It is identified that both the domestic and international tourist flow has been swayed over the last ten years because of the climatic condition in Bangladesh. Additionally, it is noticed that weather has prodigious impact in tourist's decision making of visiting the establishments of the foundation. This research helps to reshape tourism sector with sustainability by adding amenities. It also expedites the environment, society, economy and so on. The authors emphasize on developing sustainable 4As (accessibility, attractions, amenities, and ancillary services) to contribute to national economy of Bangladesh. Most importantly, community development and their economic benefits are the possible positive outcomes of focusing on the advancement of this destination. There is no doubt that without ensuring above facilities, it would be difficult to make sustainable economic development of the society.

PRE-COVID FEATURES OF GEOGRAPHY OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FLOWS IN UKRAINE

This study is devoted to the analysis of international tourism flows directed into Ukraine. Diagnostics of tourism flows according to regions of the world was carried out and the tendency of the increasing role of tourism both locally and internationally was noticed.
 The results of the previous empirical study confirmed that different social groups have their own specific patterns of tourism activity. It also showed what groups responded the most to globalization and the possible consequences it may have for tourism activities.
 Keywords: international tourism flows, tourism regions, motivation to travel, global imperatives, statistics of international tourism.

English

International tourism has been growing worldwide at substantial and sustainable rates in terms of both tourist arrivals and tourism receipts. It demonstrated broad economic significance for tourism destinations around the world. This review is carried out to describe factors determining international tourist flow to international tourist destinations. The study gives insights to improve international tourist arrivals and tourism receipts at tourism destinations worldwide by providing a comprehensive summary of the results of various works of literature on international tourist flow to researchers, policy makers and practitioners. The systematic review is conducted to provide objective, replicable, systematic, and comprehensive coverage of determinants of international tourist flow. The review process comprised framing questions for review, identifying relevant works, assessing the quality of studies, summarizing the evidence, and interpreting the findings. Factors determining international tourist flow are found to be mainly related to demand factors in generating region and supply factors in destinations. Socio-cultural factors, geographical, international mobility, demographic, technological, health risk, psychological and lifestyle, and peace and security factors significantly affect international tourist flow.   Key words: Travel, tourist flow, international tourism, destination.

The Effect of Migration on International Tourism Flows: The Role of Linguistic Networks and Common Languages

We investigate the effect of migration rates on international tourism flows and whether linguistic networks and common languages affect the relationship between migration rates and tourist flows. We utilize the gravity data set consisting of 166 origin and 30 destination countries, over the 1995–2010 period for the empirical analysis. The results show that increased migration rates lead to higher international tourism flows in destination countries. This effect becomes even stronger when the destination country has a larger linguistic network. Migration matters less, however, when a country-pair shares closer linguistic ties. The findings of this study will help to inform public, and tourism industry policies aimed at boosting sustainable tourism flows, especially post COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted immigration policies, such as those that seek to attract foreign workers with specific skill sets, tend to enlarge linguistic networks and contribute to multilingualism, which in turn can boost international tourism flows.

РОЗВИТОК ТУРИСТИЧНОГО ПОТЕНЦІАЛУ УКРАЇНИ: СВІТОВИЙ ДОСВІД ТА ВІТЧИЗНЯНІ РЕАЛІЇ

This paper seeks to explore the tourism potential as a broad multifaceted concept that covers a range of natural recreational, cultural, historical, organizational and economic indicators that lay the foundation for the development of different types of tourism and the tourism industry overall. The study identifies a set of indicators contributing to the national tourism potential realization and development which specify the geographical location, historical, spatial, natural, economic, political, legal, environmental, demographic, social, cultural, infrastructural, technological, organizational, managerial, innovative and human resources potential. According to the selected indicators, Ukraine has great prospects for boosting its tourism potential, so a SWOT analysis has been delivered. Given the due regard to each of the SWOT analysis component consideration (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Ukrainian tourism sector), a conclusion was made that the long-term development of the national tourism should rely on the following critical elements: ensuring investment and innovation in tourism and hospitality; enhancing the transport industry support; training of qualified personnel; normalization of the political, economic and legislative climate; digitalization of communications, etc. that will facilitate effective performance in the tourism sector. It is argued that implementation of innovations and progressive European standards in providing guest and recreational services are crucial in developing a competitive national tourism sector in the international market environment. Among the key strategic goals in enhancing the tourism potential of Ukraine by 2026 are the following: creating a quality tourism product based on effective marketing activities; effective and integrated use of existing tourism capacities and its potential by addressing the issues of nature management and environmental protection as well as improving the tourism infrastructure; updating technical resources and materials; ensuring the compliance between price and quality of tourist products by building a framework to optimize the organizational and economic structure of small and medium-sized businesses, granting tax holidays, green corridors, etc. The study also provides insights into the system of training and advanced training of specialists in the area of tourism and resort management. The findings demonstrate that according to the assessment of tourism and resort development indicators in Ukraine, the current potential in the national tourism sector can ensure raising the flow of international tourists arriving to Ukraine, increasing the number of tourism business entities, growth of revenues to local budgets from tourist tax payments as well as to the consolidated government budget of Ukraine from tourism activities, increasing the number of jobs in the tourism sector along with boosting the number of domestic tourists and holiday makers.

Combining Social Media and Mobile Positioning Data in the Analysis of Tourist Flows: A Case Study from Szeged, Hungary

Despite the growing importance of mobile tracking technology in urban planning and traffic forecasting, its utilization in the understanding of the basic laws governing tourist flows remains limited. Knowledge regarding the motivations and spatial behavior of tourists has great potential in sustainable tourism studies. In this paper, we combine social media (Twitter) and mobile positioning data (MPD) in the analysis of international tourism flows in Szeged, a secondary urban center in Hungary. First, the content of geotagged and non-geotagged Twitter messages referring to Szeged in a six-month period of 2018 was analyzed. In this way specific events attracting foreign tourists were identified. Then, using MPD data of foreign SIM cards, visitor peaks in the investigated period were defined. With the joint application of the social media and mobile positioning analytical tools, we were able to identify those attractions (festivals, sport and cultural events, etc.) that generated significant tourism arrivals in the city. Furthermore, using the mixed-method approach we were also able to analyze the movements of foreign visitors during one large-scale tourism event and evaluate its hinterland. Overall, this study supports the idea that social media data should be combined with other real-time data sources, such as MPD, in order to gain a more precise understanding of the behavior of tourists. The proposed analytical tool can contribute to methodological and conceptual development in the field, and information gained by its application can positively influence not only tourism management and planning but also tourism marketing and placemaking.

ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS AND TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST MARKET

Until recently, the tourism sector accounted for a significant share of the world's gross domestic product and provided about 10 % of world employment. In 2020, the global tourism industry faced a serious challenge – a crisis caused by the spread of a new type of virus (COVID-19 pandemic). International tourism has become one of the most affected by COVID-19 pandemic industries. The demand for tourism and hospitality services, which were one of the world's largest sources of foreign exchange earnings and employment in the era of pre-COVID-19, has significantly decreased. Although the future of tourism in an era of COVID-19 pandemic is very uncertain, a study of trends in the international tourism market in a crisis can be used to assess how the industry can recover and survive in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the statistical data of international organizations, the author studied indicators of international tourist flows, identified the main trends in the development of international tourism at the current stage, assessed the impact on the tourism sector of the COVID-19 pandemic and determined possibilities for its development in the context of the economic crisis, showed prospects for the development of the industry.

Exploring Diverse Sources of Linguistic Influence on International Tourism Flows

This study uses a gravity framework to explore the impact of diverse sources of linguistic influence on international tourism flows. The diverse sources of linguistic influence are captured using a common language index derived from a common native language, a common official language, and linguistic proximity. Our results reveal that linguistic factors as captured by common language index promote international tourism flows. The positive impact of linguistic ties on tourism flows is not only observed in the country-pairs that share an official language, it is also found in pairs that share unofficial native languages, that contain minority groups united by a common language, or that use closely related languages—all features captured by the language index. The analysis demonstrates that an index of common language is methodologically superior to other measures of linguistic similarity, including the dummy variable for a common official language that currently dominates the international tourism literature.

Virtual Water Trade in the Service Sector: China's Inbound Tourism as a Case Study.

Research on virtual water and the water footprint is mainly focused on agriculture and industry, and less so on the service sector. The trade in products generates virtual water flow, as does the flow of people. The flow of international tourists will inevitably lead to the transfer and exchange of water resources embedded in the virtual form. This study takes China’s inbound tourism flow as the research object, from the perspective of the water footprint, in order to explore virtual water “exports” to the world. Based on kernel density estimation and ArcGIS spatial analysis, spatial-temporal evolution and structural difference were investigated. Virtual water “exports” showed an increasing trend. The kernel density estimation curves basically exhibited a “single peak” feature which indicated that virtual water “exports” from tourism were not significantly polarized in China. In terms of spatial evolution, this varied greatly at the provincial and regional level and Guangdong was always in the high value area. The south displayed greater values than the north, but this difference in provinces narrowed over the years. The water footprint of food was the largest, more specifically, the green component of this water footprint. Promoting a reasonable diet, reducing food waste, improving agricultural production technology, reducing the frequency of changing hotel supplies, and encouraging the use of new energy helped to reduce the water footprint. Virtual water trade in the service sector provides a new idea for helping to mitigate the global water crisis, in addition to virtual water flow for agricultural products.

КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ ТРАНСГРАНИЧНЫХТУРИСТСКО-РЕКРЕАЦИОННЫХ МЕЗОРЕГИОНОВ В ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНОЙ ЧАСТИ БАЛТИЙСКОГО МАКРОРЕГИОНА

Experience in assessing the COVID-19 pandemic impact on international tourism indicates insufficient attention to changes in geography and volume of international tourist flows. In particular, studies aimed at assessing the value of tourist exchange in cross-border tourist and recreational regions are becoming relevant. The purpose of the article is to classify cross-border tourist and recreational mesoregions in the south-eastern part of the Baltic region by the size of cross-border tourist exchange. As a result of the study, six cross-border tourist and recreational mesoregions were identified with the participation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The boundaries of these mesoregions were determined and the value of cross-border tourist exchange within them was estimated. According to the latter indicator, it is proposed to divide mesoregions into three categories: 1) with a high level of formation (tourist exchange of more than 500 thousand people per year); 2) with a level of formation «above average» (from 100 to 500 thousand people per year); 3) with an average level of formation (from 50 to 100 thousand people per year). Cross-border tourist and recreational regions with a low level of formation (with a tourist exchange of fewer than 50 thousand people per year) are classified as microregions. The first category included the Estonian-Finnish mesoregion, the second – three mesoregions (Russian- Estonian, Russian-Polish-Lithuanian, and Polish-Lithuanian-Belarusian), the third – Russian-Estonian- Latvian and Estonian-Latvian.

PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL FACILITY-TOURISM IN UKRAINE. CHALLENGES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The article is devoted to defining the essence of facility-tourism as a promising area within the tourism industry, which can potentially increase the attractiveness of Ukraine for foreign tourists and become a powerful competitive center in the redistribution of international tourist flows. The need to improve existing approaches to understanding industrial tourism (common term) has been demonstrated because it does not take into account the full range of opportunities associated with visiting abandoned cities, towns and buildings, existing and abandoned machines and industrial facilities, land and underground. engineering structures, exclusion zones and other objects of anthropogenic activity. The article proves that having an extraordinary technological, industrial, engineering potential, Ukraine can create hundreds of additional facilities that will have not only practical significance, but also financial and economic effect. In addition, the launch of facility-tourism in Ukraine will create additional opportunities for the development of related areas of services - hotel and restaurant business, museums, transport, etc., and will be the basis for creating new jobs, which is certainly important for modern Ukraine. Special attention in the article to the define the prospects and place of international facility-tourism in the tourism industry of Ukraine. The method of testing hypotheses proved that its initiation will certainly have a positive effect. The authors also paid attention to the development of the industry during the pandemic. It was proved that this type of tourism can fully work even in conditions of quarantine restrictions due to the possibility of organizing facility tours for small groups of foreign nationals.

The Impact of COVID-19 on International Tourism Flows to Italy: Evidence from Mobile Phone Data

This paper analyses the response to the COVID-19 pandemic of inbound tourism to Italy looking at variation across countries and across provinces. To this end, it uses weekly data on the number of foreign visitors in Italy from January 2019 until February 2021, as provided by a primary mobile phone operator. We document a very robust negative relation at province level between local epidemiological conditions and the inflow of foreign travellers. Moreover, provinces with a historically higher share of art tourism, and those that used to be ‘hotel intensive’ were hit the most during the pandemic, while provinces with a more prevalent orientation towards business tourism proved to be more resilient. Entry restrictions with varying degrees of strictness played a key role in explaining cross-country patterns. After controlling for these restrictions, we observed that the travellers that could arrive by their own, private, means of transportation decreased proportionally less. Overall, this evidence emphasises that contagion risk considerations played a significant role in shaping international tourism patterns during the pandemic.

The Impact of Covid-19 on International Tourism Flows to Italy: Evidence from Mobile Phone Data

This paper analyses the response to the COVID-19 pandemic of inbound tourism to Italy looking at variation across countries and across provinces. To this end, it uses weekly data on the number of foreign visitors in Italy from January 2019 until February 2021, as provided by a primary mobile phone operator. We document a very robust negative relation at province level between local epidemiological conditions and the inflow of foreign travellers. Moreover, provinces with a historically higher share of art tourism, and those that used to be ‘hotel intensive’ were hit the most during the pandemic, while provinces with a more prevalent orientation towards business tourism proved to be more resilient. Entry restrictions with varying degrees of strictness played a key role in explaining cross-country patterns. After controlling for these restrictions, we observed that the travellers that could arrive by their own, private, means of transportation decreased proportionally less. Overall, this evidence emphasises that contagion risk considerations played a significant role in shaping international tourism patterns during the pandemic.

ASSESSMENT OF THE REGIONAL POTENTIAL OF RECREATION AND HEALTH-PROMOTING NATURAL RESOURCES

Recreational and health tourism is essential for the development of a system of global resort-tourist relations. Every year, the flow of tourists traveling with recreational and therapeutic purposes to the Russian regions is increasing. Currently, the industry of recreational and health tourism is constantly developing in Russia and it offers a variety of developed services and comfort in the field of health tourism. The modern development stage of tourism and recreation in Russia is characterized by in-depth transformations in all spheres of public life. A market for recreational and recreational services is being formed in the country, and a new state doctrine for the development of tourism activities is being developed. International tourist flows are increasing, and the geography of tourist routes is expanding. The presence of recreational natural resources as a whole determines the territorial landmarks of tourism and recreation. In addition to the resource potential, there are many significant factors such as socioeconomic factors, the type, and level of economic development, the volume and structure of recreational needs that influence the development dynamics of health tourism. Recreational resources usually include both natural and cultural-historical objects, complexes, and their elements, each of which has its specifics. The regions of Russia have unique recreational and health-improving potential, for example, the Marcial waters of Karelia, the radon waters of Pyatigorsk and Belokurikha, the narzans of Kislovodsk, the therapeutic mud of Lake Karachi, the hydrogen sulfide of Matsesta. Such diversity is not found in any other country in the world. This article is devoted to the development of recreational or health tourism, approaches to the assessment of the natural and recreational potential of the territory; identification of factors affecting the natural and recreational potential of the region; formulation of the advantages and disadvantages of the management and development of the regional natural and recreational complex; assessment of the impact of the management of natural and recreational resources on the development of the region and analysis of the recreational natural potential of the Altai Territory of the Russian Federation.

Economic Motives and Problems of Health Tourism in Asia Pacific

Abstract Nowadays, health tourism has emerged as a multi-billion-dollar industry due to the fact that people have frequently traveled in order to improve their wellbeing. The internationalization of health tourism has also motivated production and consumption of healthcare services as well as increased variety of intermediaries and ancillary goods and services to support this sector. Although the significant benefits of health tourism, its actual contribution to economic growth and related issues have remained ambiguous. Therefore, this paper aims to: (i) Discuss the potential economic aspects of health tourism based on the published figures of major destinations in Asia Pacific with an international focus and (ii) Examine the economic risks related to health tourism that either directly or indirectly harm the process of economic growth. The results indicate that development of health tourism satisfies patients’ demand for high quality healthcare at competitive prices, boosts the value of foreign exchange inflow and expands job opportunities. Health tourism services have become the subject of international earnings which has elevated economic opportunities of potential destinations. Besides that, increasing international health tourist flows with high income could evaluate costs of healthcare services, brain drain of healthcare professionals, inequitable health care access. Additionally, increases in international traveling might produce a new economic burden of communicable diseases, environmental degradation; brokers and organ transplants associated with black-market in some destinations. Hence, sustainability and responsibility have been considered as key criteria in the health tourism industry in order to improve tourists’ health performance and maximize benefits for local communities. Such economic analysis also enables us to evaluate benefits and losses from health tourism development and track the balance of trade around this economic sector.

Determinants of Tourism Arrivals to Uzbekistan: Evidence from Dyadic Data

This research note aims to offer novel evidence on the factors predicting tourism flows to Uzbekistan. We estimate the gravity model for the tourism arrivals to Uzbekistan from 169 nations that span from 2005 to 2018. In line with extant research, the results suggest that market size and common borders positively impact tourism arrivals. In contrast, transportation cost is a significant barrier to international tourism flows to Uzbekistan.

Evolution of international tourist flows from 1995 to 2018: A network analysis perspective

Tourist arrivals and tourism revenues have been extensively studied to evaluate international tourist flows, whereas the structure and evolution of these flows have received less attention. Based on international tourist arrival data from 221 countries/regions during the period 1995–2018, this study applies network analysis to explore the structure and evolution of international tourist flows, and the roles and functions of countries/regions in the international tourist flow network. The results of this study reveal that the network density of international tourist flows is increasing. Countries/regions in Europe, East Asia and North America generally occupy a significantly important position within the international tourist flow network, especially Germany and China. Those geographically close countries/regions demonstrate the same or similar roles and positions in international tourism. This study has significant implications for tourist destination management and marketing.

European cultural heritage and tourism flows: The magnetic role of superstar World Heritage Sites

AbstractCultural heritage is a potentially important determinant of international tourism flows. Apart from being an enrichment for both individuals and communities and an opportunity for different cultures to meet, tourism also represents a significant industry for European economies. We empirically investigate the impact of the endowment of tangible cultural heritage on tourism attractiveness of European regions. We measure material forms of cultural heritage both as regional density of locally defined monuments, cultural landscapes and museums, and as number of cultural sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites international programme. Using a Bayesian multilevel gravity model, we find that UNESCO cultural World Heritage Sites are associated with an increase of 6,000 (one site) to 60,000 (eight sites) international tourists from each European country to an average European region. On the other hand, regionally or nationally defined tangible forms of heritage play a more limited role as pull‐factors for international tourism. Moreover, we show that the presence of UNESCO sites reduces the distance decay effect. International tourists are willing to travel longer distance if a destination is endowed with UNESCO cultural World Heritage Sites.