A dynamic index for destination competitiveness measurement

Abstract

This research presents an approach to assess the competitiveness of tourism destinations in a period, allowing determining the progress made towards a greater competitiveness level. The methodology is based on a dynamic index created from Goal Programming. The indicator can be decomposed into two components, one that enables the changes produced in each destination to be evaluated due to internal improvements in their performance and the other which studies the changes relative to external issues. It is possible to obtain more information regarding change over time for each destination evaluated. The study contributes to filling the research gap in tourism competitiveness measurement since it is possible to determine whether policies and programs carried out in the tourism sector result in improvement towards or away from a greater competitiveness. The methodology is applied in the Caribbean region, which is amongst the most tourist dependent areas worldwide.