Integration of tourism markets in Australia: An international visitor arrivals’ convergence assessment

By applying the methodological framework of transition modeling and econometric convergence tests introduced by Phillips and Sul, we reveal the existence of convergence clubs and transition convergence paths of international visitor arrivals for Australia. Specifically, by using monthly data of international arrivals over the period of January 1991 to September 2017, we provide evidence that tourism markets can integrate. The analysis suggests the identification of five distinct convergence clubs. This in turn signifies an integration phenomenon of Australia’s tourism market, which is revealed through the different convergence patterns of international visitor arrivals. Finally, it is evident that the revealed integration behavior of Australia’s international tourism market will enable policy makers to target better tourism needs through customized policies.