International Tourism and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from BRICS Countries

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the tourism-growth nexus in the context of BRICS nations. For this purpose, the augmented neo-classical growth framework has been employed a panel data model approach over the sample period spanning from 1995 to 2019. The estimation was conducted using PMG based ARDL regression. The results lend support to the tourism-led growth hypothesis when the capital formation and human development exert a positive impact on the long-run real economic growth in BRICS economies. So, the policies meant for tourism sector development can contribute to long-run economic growth through an increase in the share of gross capital formation in the gross domestic product and with the help of improved human development. Therefore, the policy focus should be on infrastructure development, the promotion of investment opportunities, and the development of healthcare and education in BRICS countries. The use of a macroeconomic framework in the analysis is the novelty of this study.

Keywords

• international tourism
• economic growth
• human development
• brics
• neo-classical growth model