ABSTRACT
The main objective of this chapter is to analyze the economic importance of the Motorways of the Sea (MoS) Gijón-Nantes, in operation from 2010 to 2014 using Ro-Pax ships, in terms of tourism development. To that end, a regression model is applied with censored data obtained from a survey carried out in 2013. In this way, an estimate of the relationship between the total tourist expenditure incurred by users of MoS Gijón-Nantes and certain socio-demographic characteristics of the individuals or trip-related variables is produced. In addition, through an input-output model, the economic impact generated in the region is also calculated. The results of this analysis and its comparison with the current significance of cruise ship calls in Gijón are encouraging for the re-establishment of this MoS, which is anticipated for 2020.
