Modelling choice and switching behaviour between Scottish ski centres

Abstract

The paper identifies the need to model the skier's choice of centre and the basic ideas underlying discrete choice models and their estimation. It then identifies data requirements and sources, the final choice of specification and the estimated parameters of the resultant nested multinomial logit model. The results indicate two quite distinct markets. For day-trippers snow cover, cost, and, to a lesser extent, the journey length, were the critical factors. For those staying overnight the key determinant in this market seems to be accommodation. Interestingly centres which for the day-tripper are competitors, become, for the overnight customer, complementary.