The impact of international air routes on tourism

• Published in: Annals of tourism research 2023-07, Vol.101, p.103583, Article 103583
• Main Authors: Tang, Jiechen, Wu, Hongrun, Ramos, Vicente, Sriboonchitta, Songsak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: China; Dynamic panel; Endogeneity; Inbound tourism; International air routes
• ISSN: 0160-7383; 1873-7722
• DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2023.103583

We analysed the impact of the number of air routes on international tourism arrivals, using a dynamic panel data model to control for endogeneity. The analysis considers China's tourist arrivals before COVID-19, from its seventeen main source countries. The results show a significant positive effect of international air routes on arrivals. Beyond the overall effect, we differentiate long-haul and short-haul routes, and incorporate potential non-linearities. The conclusion is that air routes have a positive decreasing effect on inbound tourism demand from long-haul markets, but they are not significant for short-haul markets. Given the current post-pandemic challenges, understanding the effect of air routes on tourism demand might be incorporated into destination management strategies. •We quantify the effect of the number of air routes on tourism arrivals.•We considered the Chinese air market in relation with its inbound tourism.•The proposed dynamic panel data model is able to control for endogeneity.•Distinguishing long and short haul routes provides interesting results.•The results are relevant in designing post- pandemic policies.