Human agency shaping tourism competitiveness and quality of life in developing economies

The study investigates the nature of the relationship between tourism competitiveness and quality of life with human agency as an intervening variable. The study argues that integrating human agency as a foundational construct within the tourism competitiveness framework will enhance the theoretical knowledge of tourism competitiveness. A panel data analysis was applied to the case of Central America to examine the relationship between tourism competitiveness (TC) and quality of life (QoL). The results reveal a bi- directional causal relationship between the two constructs, as well as human agency acting as a moderator between TC and QoL, indicating a negative impact on such relationship. Such findings provide a number of theoretical and managerial implications, thus reinforcing the central role of human agency in defining the nature of the relationship between TC and QoL. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.