The Impact of Air Quality on Inbound Tourist Arrivals over China Based on Grey Relational Analysis

Wei Zhang, Ziqiang Liu, Yujie Zhang, Elly Yaluk and Li Li
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Wei Zhang: Business School, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
Ziqiang Liu: Business School, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
Yujie Zhang: Business School, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
Elly Yaluk: School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Li Li: School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: Air pollution has a significant impact on tourism; however, research in this area is still limited. In this study, we applied grey relational analysis to panel data from 31 provinces in China and evaluated the relationship between air quality and inbound tourist arrivals. The study focused on provincial-level disparities for the different key air quality evaluation standards during 2009–2012 and 2013–2019. For instance, we considered PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 and the excellent and good ratings of Air Pollution Index (API) during 2009–2012 and the additional PM 2.5 , CO, O 3 and the excellent and good ratings of Air Quality Index (AQI) from 2013 to 2019. Results indicate that: (1) Inbound tourist arrivals are significantly and positively affected by ambient air quality, and the impact from 2013 to 2019 was greater than that from 2009 to 2012; (2) there is regional diversity in inbound tourist arrivals, and the impact of the different air quality indicators varies; (3) inbound tourists showed greater sensitivity to air pollution under the AQI standard; (4) the impact of air quality indicators on the inbound tourist arrivals shows grey relational order, and the concentration of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and SO 2 have less impact than NO 2 , CO and O 3 on changes in tourism numbers; (5) consistency in the air quality impact on foreign tourists and compatriot tourists from HK, MO and TW varies by air quality indicators. This study highlights the need for appropriate measures to improve air quality for high-quality and sustainable development of inbound tourism.

Keywords: air quality; inbound tourists; grey relational analysis; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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