Estimating MULTICOUNTRY tourism flows by transport mode

This article describes the methodology used to obtain a harmonized database of country-to-country flows of tourists and visitors built upon the UNWTO original database. Focusing on 74 countries for the period 1995–2018 and starting with data on outbound tourism, we develop a methodology using other alternative indicators from the UNWTO which fills the gaps related to two main indicators (Foreign Visitors by country of Residence and Foreign Tourists by country of Residence). Subsequently, intra-national domestic tourism and the transport mode specific flows are obtained. The paper finally contrasts the robustness of the results obtained with the gravity equation for all flows, thereby confirming the solvency of the process and the final data retrieved. [Display omitted] •We produce a dataset highly needed for the global analysis of tourism.•It has only 10 % empty cells, compared to the 80 % of the original UNWTO dataset.•We verify the expansion of intra-national and inter-national tourism flows worldwide.•In the EU27, we find a clear home bias, and large bilateral flows from Germany.•The gravity equation validates the data obtained, with a remarkable performance.