The Impact of Human Capital and Tourism Industry Agglomeration on China’s Tourism Eco-Efficiency: An Analysis Based on the Undesirable Super-SBM-ML Model

Qiao Wang, Meixian Wei, Nan Wang and Qiuhua Chen ()
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Qiao Wang: College of Economics and Management, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Meixian Wei: College of Economics and Management, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Nan Wang: Research Center for Ecological Civilization, Fujian Provincial Social Science Research Base, Fuzhou 350002, China
Qiuhua Chen: College of Economics and Management, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-24

Abstract: Tourism eco-efficiency has played a significantly essential role in the sustainable development of tourism destinations and tourism industries, providing ideal inputs and outputs amidst the deepening environmental crisis. This study evaluates the development level of tourism eco-efficiency using the Super-SBM model with undesirable outputs, employing the Malmquist-Luenberger (ML) index to analyse the internal optimisation forces of tourism eco-efficiency. Furthermore, human capital is assessed through both horizontal and vertical education levels, followed by a panel Tobit econometric analysis to explore the external impact mechanisms on tourism eco-efficiency. The results show that (1) Technological advancement is the core intrinsic driver for optimising tourism eco-efficiency. (2) In the analysis of influencing mechanisms, Human capital significantly contributes to enhancing tourism eco-efficiency, a conclusion upheld even after conducting robustness tests. (3) Analysis of mediating mechanisms indicates that tourism industry agglomeration is a critical pathway through which human capital enhances tourism eco-efficiency. This correlation has been proven reliable by regional regression analysis. (4) Results of the threshold model test suggest a law of “increasing marginal effect” concerning the positive impact of human capital on tourism eco-efficiency within the regulation of tourism industry agglomeration. Consequently, regions should actively promote the roles of human capital and tourism industry agglomeration in advancing tourism eco-efficiency, improving resource utilization efficiency, and tourism industry specialization to foster sustainable tourism development.

Keywords: tourism eco-efficiency; human capital; tourism industry agglomeration; sustainability; Malmquist-Luenberger (ML) index; mediation effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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