Going the distance?—A meta-analysis of the deterring effect of distance in tourism

This meta-analysis summarizes and explains the variation in the deterring effect of distance on tourism flows by analyzing 882 estimates from 140 primary studies utilizing data covering the last 25 years. We find substantial heterogeneity between studies that mostly correlates with (unobserved) study characteristics, estimation methods, and locations of origin and destination. The mean total distance-decay effect, using preferred methods and datastructures, is − 0.82. However, when controlling for location and dyad specific variables, we find that the distance-decay effect is much lower ( − 0.54), pointing to mediation effects. The distance-decay effect is remarkably stable over the last 25 years and implies a positive relation between trip distance and the share of tourists in the total number of trips. • We find substantial heterogeneity in distance-decay estimates of tourism flows. • The mean total distance-decay effect, with preferred methods and data, is − 0.82. • The direct distance decay effect is only − 0.54. • The distance-decay effect is very stable over the last 25 years. • This implies that the tourist share in the total trip number increases in distance.