Tourism index as an indicator of the intensity of tourism

Tourism index is an indicator that demonstrates the market positions of settlements, on the basis of aggregating the demand and supply databases of the tourism market. A novelty of this methodology is that it allows the demonstration of the touristic performance of different settlements and regions with the application of one index. The purpose of our study is to demonstrate the theoretical background of the indicator and its application at the settlement and territorial levels of the Hungarian tourism sector. In addition to the index values it is also possible to monitor the further environmental relations system of tourism, including correlations with the settlement network or special geographical areas. The index also allows geographical and spatial development/regional typification and classification.