The Identification of Factors Determining the Probability of Practicing Inland Water Tourism Through Logistic Regression Models: The Case of Extremadura, Spain

Abstract

Inland water tourism is put forward as a highly sustainable and attractive tourism product owing to its ability to generate economic development, raise awareness of respect for the environment, and contribute towards the diversification necessary to alleviate overexposure in coastal areas. For this reason, territories with sufficient expanses of water increasingly strive to create tourist products which allow them to enjoy the benefits associated with this type of tourism. The case of the region of Extremadura in Spain deserves special attention due to the abundant presence of lake resources which allows it to find an opportunity to stand out in inland water tourism and promote economic development. The initial objective of this research is the generation of knowledge of the demand currently existing in the territory. In order to do so, a logit regression model is used based on 4625 surveys collected in 2017. This model is later verified by means of a Chow test so as to analyze which factors influence the probability of practicing inland water tourism, paying attention to certain control variables such as the season or the tourist market. The results obtained have important implications for tourism managers and the establishment of a suitable development policy strategy.