The impact of international air routes on tourism
利用动态面板数据模型分析中国17个主要客源国在新冠疫情前的数据，发现国际航线数量对入境旅游有显著正向影响，但长航线和短航线的效果不同。
We analysed the impact of the number of air routes on international tourism arrivals, using a dynamic panel data model to control for endogeneity. The analysis considers China's tourist arrivals before COVID-19, from its seventeen main source countries. The results show a significant positive effect of international air routes on arrivals. Beyond the overall effect, we differentiate long-haul and short-haul routes, and incorporate potential non-linearities. The conclusion is that air routes have a positive decreasing effect on inbound tourism demand from long-haul markets, but they are not significant for short-haul markets. Given the current post-pandemic challenges, understanding the effect of air routes on tourism demand might be incorporated into destination management strategies. • We quantify the effect of the number of air routes on tourism arrivals. • We considered the Chinese air market in relation with its inbound tourism. • The proposed dynamic panel data model is able to control for endogeneity. • Distinguishing long and short haul routes provides interesting results. • The results are relevant in designing post- pandemic policies.