Endogenous amenities, tourists’ happiness and competitiveness

A key strategy for supporting destination competitiveness is to enhance endogenous amenities and tourists are the best candidate to evaluate them at the destination. In the analysis, we use a comprehensive dataset on foreign travellers to investigate their happiness at Italian destinations between 2005-2014. Using a theory-dependent approach to model happiness at the destination with respect to endogenous and exogenous amenities, personal characteristics and trip features, we show a great diversity in the mix of amenities affecting tourist happiness. However, some clear spatial patterns emerge. Our findings call for place-based policies targeted to the specific needs of each area.