Public spending on tourism, interactions with the transport sector and regional economic growth: econometric evaluation results

The macro-theme that is proposed is the relationship among different economic sectors, particularly transport and tourism. Tariff policy and price competitiveness of geographical areas can be considered as an economic policy tool aimed at efficiently allocating resources with a view to sustainability, as well as the effectiveness of the services provided in compliance with the needs of the users served at a territorial level, all based on a correct forecast in programmatic terms of the costs necessary to carry out these actions. The transport sector needs the more efficient use of allocated resources as well as the achievement of an effective action that aims to meet the needs of the population and tourists. Currently, the tariff instrument applied to the various areas of the transport sector, on its own, has failed to attract a demand that guarantees coverage of the costs of providing services nor has it supported a consistent and sustainable demand for mobility. Addressing the analysis of these problems through spending data and the analysis of the interrelations among sectors allows us to examine and grasp the peculiarities of the main macroeconomic variables which affect the markets and to direct resources where they can be glimpsed the implementation of services actually appreciated by users/tourists. Therefore the specific object in terms of operational research is: - to analyse the current situation of the tourism market; - to examine interrelations among sectors; - to present econometric evaluation results of public spending finalised to tourism in support of the economic regional growth.