Value added is a measurement that is related to a production process taken as a whole, that is, a combination of inputs, capital goods, labour and technology, in order to obtain a combination of outputs.

Two alternative views of value added as it relates to tourism can be identified:

- Most simply, the value added of the tourism industries can be estimated as the sum of the value added of each tourism characteristic industry.

- Alternatively, a direct link between the demand for tourism goods and services and their supply can be determined, and value added for a certain level of visitor consumption can be estimated.