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This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive representation of the role of regional disparities in the nexus between poverty and subjective well‐being, by adding the territorial dimension to the definition of poverty conditions. We investigate the nexus using regional poverty lines, including different poverty measures and considering different life domains. The analysis focuses on Italy because of its strong regional socio‐economic disparities. Results show that the relevance of being poor on the well‐being of citizens is in general higher and significant; the intensity and severity of poverty also change for different life domains. Findings are fundamental in designing local policies against poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether urbanization plays a role in determining the importance of each happiness domain on overall happiness. The analysis focuses on Italy. We exploit a multilevel model to consider regional heterogeneity in happiness determinants. We first verify whether a direct effect of urbanization exists on each specific components of happiness, as well as on overall happiness. Consistent with the findings in the literature, happiness decreases with urbanization. In the analysis of the mediating role, we find that the importance of satisfaction family explains more overall happiness in urban areas. On the contrary, satisfaction with health, friendships and environment gain more weight in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates how traits of cities explain subjective well-being and its subcomponents. Building up a happiness function, where life satisfaction is determined by satisfaction on life domains, the impact of city-level determinants of happiness is analyzed through a multilevel analysis. The results show that Italian cities have an effect on subjective well-being through different happiness domains. The relationship between the estimated coefficients of domain satisfactions and some relevant urban-context variables and amenities is then examined. This approach allows urban policy agendas to be designed around city-specific characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether there are differences in tourism consumption behaviour among families by analysing the main determinants of tourism participation at national and international levels. In particular, it explores whether tourism is becoming part of the lifestyle of Italians or whether it is still a luxury good only for the privileged. A Heckman model was used on micro-data on Italian family expenditure over the period 1997-2007, and an income elasticity analysis for different personal and household characteristics was carried out. The results show that participation in the tourism market is strongly affected by the personal characteristics of individuals and that tourism consumption is an income-sensitive good. The analysis reveals that tourism is generally a luxury good. Income elasticity analysis shows both similarities as well as differences in Italian tourism consumption patterns at national and international levels. The authors find that consumption behaviour in tourism is affected not only by economic constraints but also by cultural and territorial factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores how demographic changes in human populations may impact on tourism decision-making of households over their life cycle. By means of hurdle models, the study focuses respectively on the decision to travel domestically or abroad and investigates if statistically significant differences exist as to the impact of age and cohort on the decision to travel and tourism expenditure. Using a vast dataset on Italian Household Expenditures over the period 1997–2007 the empirical results show that demographic aspects do have a strong effect on the tourism behaviour of families and that cohort and age effects act differently on the decision of households to make a trip and on how much they spend on tourism. Age has a negative effect on the desire to travel but a positive effect on tourism expenditure. On the other hand, older cohorts are inclined to travel but they have a low propensity to spend on tourism. Relevant differences in income elasticity along the life cycle of households have also been found. Finally, age and cohort aspects have a different effect on the decision as to whether to travel nationally or internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study assesses the impact of state aid on firms in the tourism sector by implementing an accurate micro-econometric evaluation of their causal effect. Analyses consider subsidies allocated by the main regional policy in Italy, the Law 488/1992, during the period 1999–2003. A Matching Difference-In-Difference (MDID) estimator is applied, considering the presence of selection on observable and non-observable factors. Effects on the tourism sector are compared with those in the manufacturing industry. The impacts with respect to different types of tourism destinations where tourism firms operate are also evaluated. The results show higher output and employment growth but lower labour productivity dynamics in subsidised firms relative to non-subsidised ones. The impacts are diverse across types of tourism destinations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this paper is to provide a new measure of the underreporting of accommodation statistics in Italian domestic tourism. The analysis employs information from different official surveys. Following the Eurostat recommendations, we compare the Italian trips and holidays surveys and the movements in accommodation establishments, the two major official sources on tourism in Italy and on the activities of persons travelling, respectively. The analysis shows that demand-side estimates exceed accommodation statistics by 16%, on average, over the period 2007–2009 and that the underreporting rate is variable over time. The results highlight the need to explicitly consider this measurement error when analysing the tourism business cycle, forecasting tourism flows and defining tourism policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production processes heterogeneity is largely recognized in tourist accommodation industry, but few empirical evidences have been reported in the literature either on the extent of the heterogeneity or on its determinants. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of environmental features in affecting heterogeneity of accommodation production processes. Using a novel administrative data-set of hotels in Emilia Romagna (ER), we estimate stochastic frontier production functions for different hotel clusters, defined by simultaneously considering seasonality, quality (star rating), and size. Results show a relevant heterogeneity due to these environmental factors, that is different hotel industries exist in ER. From a policy perspective, the analysis evidences the need to develop targeted interventions to different clusters of productive structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates aspects of the convention industry not well explored in the literature. Using a framework of cluster theory, a quantitative method is used to assess the Italian convention industry and its relationships with local infrastructure and tourism product supply. The development of the different phases of the life cycle of convention destinations in Italy is outlined and locational factors which influence them are investigated. Managerial and political strategies which would enhance the competitiveness of the Italian convention industry in the global market are proposed. Furthermore, the study evaluates the use of the cluster theory in investigating the hospitality industry, contributing to the debate on local tourism development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the paper is to provide new information on the performance of frontier estimation methods, using data from Italian hotel industry. Quantile regression is also suggested as solution to frontier production function estimation. It is shown that, while the choice of estimation methods among conventional techniques significantly affects the economic analysis, quantile regression provides valuable new information by estimating the whole spectrum of production functions corresponding to different efficiency levels. In addition, the method makes available a coherent framework to analyze the performance of the conventional techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]