The Impact of Tourism on the National Competitiveness: Case of EU28 and WB Countries

Abstract

In this paper is emphasized the important role that tourism has in enhancing the national development and competitiveness on the global market. The attention is focused on presenting the main indicators for measurement of national competitiveness and level of development of tourism sector and to present their mutual relations which must be seriously considered by the government and policy makers. The research of this topic is based on identifying the current level of competitiveness and tourism development in Europe Union (EU) and Western Balkan (WB) transition countries. Specific aim of the paper is to provide comparison analysis of WB countries position as economics in transition process in relation to EU countries regarding to the most important indicators of competitiveness and tourism development. To do so, it is employed correlation and regression analysis. The results has showed the significances of the further investment and development of tourism sector of WB countries due to its available resource and its great influence on enhancing international competitiveness and economics prosperity.