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Journal of Travel Research
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The Impact of Distance on International Tourist Movements

Bob McKercher

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Andrew Chan

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Celia Lam

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

This article examines the impact of distance on global tourist flows through an analysis of departing visitor share from 41 major source markets to 146 destinations. The study concludes that 80% of all international travel occurs to countries within 1,000 kilometers of the source market and that, with few exceptions, distant destinations have great difficulty attracting more than a 1% or 2% share of departures. However, high volatility in share within each distance cohort was also noted. Regression analysis of variation in share by distance suggests that market access and the level of tourism development within a destination distort movement patterns regardless of distance. Relationship variables played an important role in short-haul travel; a mix of source, destination, and relationship characteristics influence travel to medium haul destinations; and destination attributes influence share at long-haul destinations.

Key Words: distance decay • tourist flows

This version was published on November 1, 2008

Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 47, No. 2, 208-224 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0047287508321191
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