Global uncertainty and the effectiveness of currency depreciation on tourism demand in G20 economies

This study examines how exchange rates and global uncertainty interact to shape international tourism demand across G20 economies. Using annual data from 2001 to 2023, we apply a PMG-ARDL framework, complemented by heterogeneity and panel quantile regressions, to identify long-run relationships and distribution-specific responses. The results show that per capita income is the dominant long-run driver of tourism demand, while the positive effects of currency depreciation weaken substantially under elevated uncertainty. Moreover, we document a systematic divergence between advanced and emerging destinations: advanced economies preserve their exchange-rate advantages during uncertain periods, whereas emerging markets experience an erosion of price competitiveness. These findings suggest that exchange-rate-based strategies alone are insufficient to sustain tourism demand in volatile environments without macroeconomic stability and institutional resilience.