MEASURING THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF TOURISM: THE CASE STUDY OF ITALY

Tourism plays a relevant role in increasing the national GDP while fostering the local economies (Cortés-Jiménez, 2008; Economics, 2016; Polo & Valle, 2008; Rosignoli et al., 2013; Seetanah, 2011; UNWTO, 2013; Zhang et al., 2007). Nevertheless, despite its importance for the national economies, it is problematic to estimate its impact for the lack of appropriate and exhaustive methodologies. Through a desk research and secondary data analysis, the paper discusses and compares the potentialities and limits of the official statistics and those offered by the CST methodology. The research outcome supports researchers and practitioners in identifying the tool that better fits with their information needs; the review, mapping the existing methodologies, supports also the private and public operators and the government in their decision-making and in the elaboration of effective business and policy strategies.