TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS OF THE WORLD’S TOP
    TOURISM DESTINATIONS: AN EXPLORATORY ASSESSMENT

                        Diana Balan, Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest
                       Virgil Balaure, Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest
                       Călin Veghes, Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest


ABSTRACT: In the recent years, competitiveness has become one of the common concepts
employed to approach and describe the sustainable development of the travel and tourism industry.
Competitiveness of the travel and tourism industry, like of the tourist destinations, is defined taking
into consideration a set of reference elements related to the major dimensions of the industry, such
as the business environment, infrastructure, laws and regulations, and resources available.
        The paper assesses the competitiveness of the travel and tourism industry in the World’s top
25 tourist destinations based on the methodology and the specific results provided in the Travel and
Tourism Competitiveness Report and taking into consideration the most representative performance
indicators of this industry, international tourist arrivals and international tourist receipts, provided
by the World Tourism Organization.

Keywords: travel and tourism, tourist destinations, competitiveness

JEL codes: M31, L83