Evaluating the spatiotemporal performance of tourist destinations: the case of Mediterranean coastal regions

Abstract

The mitigation of spatiotemporal pressure is directly related to improvements for the competitive positions of coastal tourist destinations. Extensive diversification initiatives have been undertaken in many regions in order to achieve this goal. Despite the importance of specific spatiotemporal features of tourism, they have yet to be adequately integrated into existing studies that evaluate the comparative performance of destinations. To fill this gap, this paper uses a non-parametric data envelopment analysis method and builds a synthetic index of spatiotemporal efficiency in order to evaluate the performance of 37 Mediterranean coastal regions. In addition, it uses a bootstrapped truncated regression model to test the effects of product and spatial diversification on the spatiotemporal performance of destinations. The results suggest that both product and spatial diversification may enhance the spatiotemporal efficiency of destinations. Finally, they demonstrate that the easing of spatiotemporal pressures bears a real cost in terms of lost overnight stays that vary across different Mediterranean destinations based on unique local factors. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.