Tina Das, professor of economics, and Casey DiRienzo, associate professor of economics, have published an article, "Global Tourism Competitivess and Tourism Competitiveness: A Nonlinear Relationship" in the Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 47(4): 470-479.
Several studies have explored empirically the determinants of tourism demand and supply, as well as the factors that affect destination or tourism competitiveness. However, no prior research has considered the role of censored information on tourism competitiveness. The question that arises is whether the type of information, censored or uncensored, significantly affects tourism competitiveness. In other words, do countries with a free press, which are able to provide unrestricted information regarding tourism services, differ in their tourism competitiveness from countries with a controlled press, which can, to some degree, regulate and control the tourist information provided?
Using the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI 2007), this study concludes that while the vast majority of countries that enjoy a free press are highly competitive in the tourism industry, countries with controlled media also are capable of successfully competing in the global tourism industry, targeting their information in order to promote global tourism.
The Journal of Travel Research is a premier, peer-reviewed research journal that publishes the most current and influential scholarship on travel and tourism behavior, management and development. It provides high-quality research on the worldwide importance of tourism, both economically and socially.