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To date, few studies have explored the relationship between tourism inflows and city taxes. This study investigates how the introduction of a city tax impacts on both national and international tourism demand by using the synthetic control method. The case study is based on a panel of Italian municipalities, for the time span 2006-2011. Results from estimations with the synthetic control method show that the introduction of a visitor tax leads to a decline in domestic tourism demand. In contrast, there is no effect on international tourism inflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses tourists' stated loyalty to a tourism destination within a multidimensional framework and with various definitions of loyalty. The empirical data were collected via a survey administered at the end of a trip at the main ports and airports on the island of Sardinia during the low and high seasons, in 2012. A logit specification is employed to estimate the factors influencing loyalty, defined as both the unconditional and conditional probability of returning to Sardinia. The empirical findings highlight that overall satisfaction and several satisfaction items are key determinants of the stated loyalty. Also, the past loyalty to the destination is a significant factor that positively influences future behaviour. The same factors also affect recommendation to visit the destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper examines residents' perceptions of a wide set of externalities exerted by the development of cruise tourism. The research involved data collection in two ports located in the two largest Mediterranean islands, Sicily and Sardinia, during the summer peak of the cruise season 2011. These two cruise destinations are especially interesting as they are characterized by a distinct life cycle. The empirical findings show that the two groups of residents have statistically equal perceptions on cruise activity in their destination. A correspondence analysis shows that residents have an overall positive attitude on the development of cruise tourism with respect to social, cultural and economic impacts. Nevertheless, they also feel that cruise activity has a negative impact, especially on the environment. Heterogeneity in occupation is explicitly taken into account. These findings provide directions for local policy-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates visitors' satisfaction at a museum. To this aim, an empirical analysis on a representative sample of 359 visitors to the Archaeological Museum G.A. Sanna in Sassari (Italy) is presented. A theoretical model is proposed to investigate the determinants that influence visitors' satisfaction, including sociodemographic characteristics, motivations, and visit experience. Empirically, an ordered logit is employed to test prior hypotheses. Findings highlight that respondents are satisfied by the actual experience and length of the time spent at the museum. Factors such as nationality, gender, and education also play a role in their overall level of satisfaction. Based upon the empirical findings, implications for museum managers are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine cruise passengers' characteristics, preferences and their overall experience in a port of call. Based on 1,361 survey data collected from passengers in the port of call of Cartagena, during the third quarter of 2009, a three-step multivariate market segment analysis is employed. First, a correspondence analysis is run to reveal the underlying factors in the data; second, based on the correspondence analysis, a hierarchical cluster investigation is performed to segment the sample into homogeneous groups; third, a decision tree is computed to characterise each group. The cluster analysis identifies six distinct market segments differentiated by nationality, satisfaction, safety perception and expenditure. The findings imply several policy directions. In particular, institutions should enhance the perception of safety in Cartagena to guarantee repeated visits, an ad hoc marketing policy may encourage revisit by young South Americans, and managers should extend the inland visiting time that is likely to produce local multiplier effects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: This paper aims to identify the factors that influence resident''s choice of a particular type of tourism (i.e. “sea and sun”, cruise, sport and cultural tourism). The case study presented is the city of Olbia (Sardinia, Italy). With its airport and port, Olbia is the gateway for the “Costa Smeralda” (Emerald Coast), one of the most well-established tourism destinations worldwide. The main objective is achieved by constructing a representative random stratified sample, for a total of 1208 interviews. Residents'' choice about the level of investment they would prefer for each type of tourism activity is assessed by different probabilistic specifications, according to the statistical properties of the data. On the whole, evidence shows that even in a mature destination like Olbia, residents do not dislike tourism activity in all its forms. Policy and management implications are drawn on these empirical findings and suggestions for further research are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper analyses, estimates and forecasts tourism demand for the region of the Sardinia (Italy). Seasonal and non-seasonal unit root tests are employed on monthly data for the sample period from 1987 to 2002. Two approaches are implemented: a quantitative analysis (i.e. a standard dynamic OLS and a SARMA with interventions) and an experts' opinion qualitative approach. A full range of diagnostic tests is provided. An ex-ante forecasting exercise is run for the period between January and December 2003 and actual data are compared with the experts' expectations and the quantitative results. Overall, evidence is provided that an integrative forecasting approach leads to more accurate forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes how the introduction of low-cost carriers has influenced tourism activity in a European destination, namely the town of Alghero (Italy). This can be addressed via a multiple stage approach. Firstly, a descriptive analysis highlights the dynamics of tourism demand and supply in the past three decades. Secondly, a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model with intervention variables is employed to highlight the influence that low-cost flights have had on the town of Alghero. Finally, the relationship between demand and supply is analyzed via a Granger test. The findings indicate that low-cost carders have influenced both domestic and international tourism demand, albeit to differing degrees. The article offers policy direction on how tourism infrastructures should be developed according to an economic and environmental sustainability perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An almost ideal demand system with monthly frequency, in both long-run and dynamic forms, is used to quantify the responsiveness of Italian tourism demand to changes in relative prices, exchange rates, expenditure and unexpected one-off events in four main European destinations. Short-term elasticities, which are crucial for policies regarding own price, as well as cross prices and expenditure elasticities are derived from the dynamic model. It is also found that the dynamic model outperforms the long-run model in forecasting accuracy. This paper provides useful information for policymakers to maintain high market shares of Italian tourism demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper analyses the supply of an important form of rural tourism, agrotourism, at a level of each of the four provinces on the island of Sardinia (Italy). Importantly, an analysis is undertaken on the impact that legislation has had on the life cycle. The analysis is framed into three main sections—firstly, the main legislative interventions introduced in Sardinia by the local government that were aimed at regulating the supply of agrotourism are presented; secondly, a life cycle description is given based upon a literature review and a methodology presented; thirdly, the life cycle analysis and legislative impacts are combined using an econometric approach in terms of trend factors of the Sardinian businesses over an extended period from 1986 to 2003. The analysis identifies that regional legislative actions have indeed had a significant impact in the evolution and dynamics of the supply of agrotourism on the island. The quantitative methodology identifies some heterogeneity in modelling the trend for each of the four Sardinian provinces, and evidence exists indicating that agrotourism is entering a stagnation stage. On the basis of the economic results obtained, suggestions are given to both the private sector and public policy makers in agrotourism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]