The effect of virtual proximity and digital adoption on international tourism flows to Southern Europe

Bibliographic Data

ID21689765
AuthorsAlexandre Guedes (0000-0003-2019-3535, Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal, corresponding author), Samuel Faria (0000-0002-7533-7412, Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal), Sofia Gouveia (0000-0001-9680-0114, Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal), João Rebelo (0000-0003-3564-7771, Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal)
Year2023
Volume29
Issue6
Pages1643-1661
Publication date2023-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTourism Economics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-8166 • E-ISSN: 2044-0375
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/13548166221116704
OpenAlexW4286111655
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited49

This paper extends the traditional gravity model to explain the effect of digitalization on international tourism flows to five Southern European countries, where tourism plays an important economic role. The analysis is based on balanced panel data covering the period 2004–2019. Internet-user statistics and Google Trends search data are used as a proxy for digital adoption and virtual proximity, respectively, by source markets. Results lend support to the notion that virtual proximity rather than digital adoption aided international travel, demonstrating that digitalization cannot be interpreted as a fluid and vague concept that exerts a consistent effect. Results also present evidence that Southern European countries should not be treated as a block of homogenous destinations. These findings inform stakeholders regarding the significance of digital platforms as strategic tools to empower consumers

Advertising · Business · Destinations · Economic geography · Economics · Geography · Gravity model of trade · Industrial organization · International trade · Regional science · The Internet · Tourism · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Digital Marketing and Social Media · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Marketing

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