Micro-Economic Determinants of the Probability of Tourism Consumption

Abstract

This paper analyses the factors involved in the decision to consume tourism services for leisure purposes. A discrete choice logit model is used, with data drawn from the Spanish Family Expenditure Survey for the period 1985–96. The results suggest that limitations on free time, cultural factors, income (with an income elasticity below one), age and the generation effect are all crucial determining factors in the probability of travel. The use of micro data leads to the detection of a high degree of heterogeneity, both among households and in the different degree to which the aforementioned variables affect travel decisions.