The effects of world heritage sites and governance on tourist arrivals: worldwide evidence

The tourism sector plays an important role in economic development. Its contributes foreign exchange earnings to the nation; tax revenue to the government; and provide job to the population as well as open-up business opportunities to serve the communities. Thus, international tourist arrival plays a central role in stimulating economic growth by ensuring substantial export income in the form of international tourist receipts to a destination country. A fundamental question that relates international visitors and the destination country is “why do some destination countries attract more visitors than others?” In this study, using a sample of 126 countries, we provide evidences that income, the number of world natural and cultural heritage sites, ethnic diversity and good governance are important factors influencing international visitors’ destination choices (tourism demand)