The dual distance model of tourism movement in intra-regional travel

Abstract

This study aims to reconcile the discrepancy between economic theory and distance decay theory by developing the dual distance model to better explain tourism movement/demand. Drawing on data from three different sources in China, findings indicate that while geographic distance significantly influences travel demand, economic distance does not, ceteris paribus. The interaction of these two distance factors offers new insights into how the taken-for-granted distance decay curve is contingent upon the economic distance between the source market and the destination. Implications on theory and practice are also presented in the article.