Investigating the multiple mechanisms of tourism economy affecting sustainable urban development of Chinese cities: based on multi-source data

Yun Tong () and Rui Zhang ()
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Yun Tong: Hainan University
Rui Zhang: Hubei University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2024, vol. 26, issue 1, No 73, 1808 pages

Abstract: Abstract As an essential section of the modern economic system, the tourism industry plays a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using the panel data of 284 Chinese cities, this study empirically explores whether and how the tourism economy (TE) can promote sustainable urban development (SUD). We first chose eco-efficiency to evaluate the level of SUD, which was assessed based on multi-source data and the super-EBM model. Then, a structural equation model including multiple pathways was introduced to reveal the TE’s direct and indirect impact on SUD for the whole sample and sub-samples. Relevant policy recommendations were proposed based on spatial heterogeneity results. The main results are as follows: (1) The eco-efficiency shows a trend of improvement over the study period, and its spatial pattern has a strong path dependence. (2) The results of the whole sample indicate that the total effect of TE on SUD is significantly positive. (3) TE can affect SUD through multiple pathways. The single mediation pathways are TE → Economic Development (ED) → SUD, TE → Industrial Structure (IND) → SUD and TE → Environmental Regulation (ER) → SUD, and dual mediation pathways as TE → Opening-up (OPEN) → ED → SUD and TE → ER → IND → SUD. (4) The results of spatial heterogeneity show that TE can promote SUD directly but not indirectly in undeveloped regions, which is opposite in developed regions.

Keywords: Tourism economy; Eco-efficiency; Sustainable development; Super-EBM model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02785-7

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