Connecting Quality of Life, Tourism Specialization, and Economic Growth in Small Island Destinations: The Case of Malta
Keywords
Tourism specialization; Quality of life (QOL); Small island destinations; Malta; Translog production function; Economic growth
Abstract
This study assesses the relationship between quality of life (QOL), tourism specialization, and economic growth as applied to small island destinations. The study is grounded on a QOL model and translog production function and employs the limited information maximum likelihood estimator to investigate the nature of this relationship in Malta. Results indicate that the relationship between tourism specialization and both QOL and economic growth is only partial. Tourism specialization improves the residents QOL but, only on the short term. The study enhances the existing empirical evidence of the literature that examines the relationship between tourism specialization and residents' QOL in the medium- and long-term in that it controls for endogeneity. The translog production function methodology is novel as it allows for examining tourism returns and the factors that shape tourism preferences. This permits supply and demand variables to be combined into a production and consumption system.
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Number of Pages
212-223
Document Type
Article
Language
English
Source Title
Tourism Management
Volume
65
Copyright Status
Unknown
College
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
STARS Citation
Croes, Robertico; Ridderstaat, Jorge; and van Niekerk, Mathilda, "Connecting Quality of Life, Tourism Specialization, and Economic Growth in Small Island Destinations: The Case of Malta" (2018). Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 676.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ucfscholar/676