The necessary and sufficient conditions for tourism competitiveness and international tourism imports using the WEF’s TTCI: The examples of OECD countries

Abstract

Tourism is a sociocultural phenomenon influenced by numerous factors, necessitating a multifaceted perspective. By analyzing necessary and sufficient conditions, this study aims to comprehend the equifinality and causal complexity of combinations of causal conditions that lead to the same outcome. Using fsQCA, the influence of tourism competitiveness on tourism performance is analyzed in light of the complexity theory. The Tourism Competitiveness Index and international tourism imports of 38 OECD member countries were compiled and analyzed. The necessary conditions led to the discovery of 'Natural and Cultural Resources' (0.924) and 'Infrastructure' (0.865). Four solutions were found for high international tourism imports, and four solutions were found for low international tourism imports. High international tourism imports are caused by H1(E*P*I), H2(I*R), H3(E*P*I), and H4(E*P*R). Low international tourism imports are the result of L1(E*R), L2(P*I), L3(P*R), and L4(E*I). This suggests that 'Natural and Cultural Resources' and 'Infrastructure' must be present in countries with high levels of international tourism imports. These factors suggest that they can be made a policy strategy priority and foundational element. Equifinality is demonstrated by the solution derived from sufficient condition analysis. It can be used as a basis for establishing a more comprehensive tourism marketing strategy.