Is the migration-tourism relationship only about VFR?

• The drivers and dynamics of migrant related tourism are not well understood.
• The analysis identifies a strong quantitative link between migration and VFR tourism.
• Migration numbers impact upon total and non-VFR tourism.
• This results have implications for policymakers.
• This study enhances understanding of the implications of international migration.

This paper contributes to the literature on the linkages between tourism and migration. Though it is widely recognised that the two phenomena are closely linked, and that migration may induce visiting friends and relatives) tourism (VFR), there has been little econometric evaluation of the relationship. The present analysis draws upon Australian data to identify a strong quantitative link between migration and VFR tourism. It also demonstrates a strong link between migration and other forms of tourism. Indeed the latter are almost equally as strong as the links between migration and VFR tourism. This unexpected finding has implications for policymakers and for conceptualising the migration-tourism relationship.