MICRO-ECONOMIC FACTORS OF TOURIST EXPENDITURE: THE ROLE OF ACCESSIBILITY IN THE CITY OF PORTO

Abstract

In this paper, we assess the determinants of the main tourist expenses in a city (accommodation, meals, culture/leisure and global) considering the socio-demographic profile of the tourist, the length of stay, and satisfaction with visiting the city. Additionally, the main novelty of this study is the evaluation of the destination’s accessibility concerning people with special needs as a determinant of tourist expenses. Microdata was collected by a survey addressed to tourists (national and international) who visited the city of Porto. Tobit regressions were applied to explain the main tourist expenses. The results show the perception of the level of accessibility presents a relevant result in the various models. With this paper, we intend to contribute to the literature and support the different stakeholders in defining tourist attraction and loyalty strategies.