Estimating the long-run effects of socioeconomic and meteorological factors on the domestic tourism demand for Galicia (Spain)

Tourism is one of the more important sectors for the economy of Galicia (northwest of Spain). The aim of our study is to quantify determinants of Galician domestic tourism demand and their impacts. Additionally, confidence intervals for these impacts are calculated by bootstrapping data. The results show that income, Eastern vacations and the celebration of the Holy Year of the Apostle Saint James have had a relevant positive impact on tourism. There is also a significant positive connection between a meteorological phenomenon, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and tourism demand. On the other hand, the differential rates of inflation between Galicia and the rest of Spain and the 2008 economic crisis have had a negative effect.

► We quantify the impact of influencing factors on the Galician domestic tourism demand. ► We make use of the ARDL modeling approach and the bootstrap method. ► Economic variables such as Income, Price and Crisis were relevant variables. ► Sociological variables such as the Holly Year, Eastern and Crisis were also relevant. ► An atmospheric variable, the NAO, was important to explain domestic tourism demand.