In a period of rising competition and environmental concern, tourism destinations increasingly use signals that certify and communicate the quality provided in order to gain a competitive advantage over competitors. Given their aim of providing synthetized information on destinations, certifications particularly affect foreign tourists who suffer more from asymmetric information. This study considers the Blue Flag, one of the most popular eco-labels aiming at promoting seaside tourist destinations. The relationship between label achievement and inbound tourist flows is explored. Panel data techniques and highly geographical disaggregated data covering a rather long time span (2000–12) are used to compare the attractiveness of certified and non-certified Italian provinces. The empirical evidence suggests that current certification positively affects future foreign tourist decisions to visit the destination. Moreover, while the presence of at least one signal is effective in attracting tourists, no significant difference emerges among destinations with different signal intensity.
Capacci, S., Scorcu, A.E., Vici, L. (2015). Seaside tourism and eco-labels: The economic impact of Blue Flags. TOURISM MANAGEMENT, 47, 88-96 [10.1016/j.tourman.2014.09.003].
Seaside tourism and eco-labels: The economic impact of Blue Flags
CAPACCI, SARA;SCORCU, ANTONELLO EUGENIO;VICI, LAURA
2015
Abstract
In a period of rising competition and environmental concern, tourism destinations increasingly use signals that certify and communicate the quality provided in order to gain a competitive advantage over competitors. Given their aim of providing synthetized information on destinations, certifications particularly affect foreign tourists who suffer more from asymmetric information. This study considers the Blue Flag, one of the most popular eco-labels aiming at promoting seaside tourist destinations. The relationship between label achievement and inbound tourist flows is explored. Panel data techniques and highly geographical disaggregated data covering a rather long time span (2000–12) are used to compare the attractiveness of certified and non-certified Italian provinces. The empirical evidence suggests that current certification positively affects future foreign tourist decisions to visit the destination. Moreover, while the presence of at least one signal is effective in attracting tourists, no significant difference emerges among destinations with different signal intensity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
