Length of stay: Evidence from Santiago de Compostela

Abstract

This paper analyses the determinants of length of stay, but does so taking into account whether the visitor is a tourist or a same-day visitor. Our empirical analysis focuses on Santiago de Compostela, a small tourist city in north-western Spain. We have conducted our analysis using five alternative Heckman selection models. This methodology allows us to distinguish between tourists and same-day visitors. The results allow for the identification of different visitor profiles. In this context, same-day visitors are typically young or retired individuals who travel for leisure reasons, whilst foreign visitors travelling for business or congress purposes are the most likely to have longer stays. In the light of these results, policy implications are then discussed.