Spatio-Temporal Differentiation and Enhancement Path of Tourism Eco-Efficiency in the Yellow River Basin Under the “Dual Carbon” Goals

Dandan Zhao, Yuxin Liang, Luyun Li (), Yumei Ma and Guangkun Xiao
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Dandan Zhao: Tourism College, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China
Yuxin Liang: Tourism College, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China
Luyun Li: Tourism College, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China
Yumei Ma: Tourism College, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China
Guangkun Xiao: Tourism College, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-25

Abstract: Enhancing tourism eco-efficiency (TEE) is crucial for achieving China’s “dual carbon” objectives. This study examines nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin from 2010 to 2022, employing a super-efficiency SBM model, kernel density estimation, gravity center migration, standard deviation ellipse, Tobit regression, and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to investigate spatial-temporal variations and influencing factors. The results show that TEE increased steadily before 2019, declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recovered after 2021. Spatially, widening disparities and a polarization trend were observed, with the efficiency center remaining relatively stable in Shaanxi Province. Factors such as advancements in tourism economic development, regional economic growth, technological innovation, and infrastructure improvements significantly promote TEE, whereas stringent environmental regulations and greater openness exert constraints, and the impact of human capital remains uncertain. Four types of condition combinations were identified—economic-driven, market-innovation-driven, scale-innovation-driven, and balanced development. Managerial implications highlight the need for region-specific pathways and regional cooperation, with a dual focus on technological and institutional drivers as well as ecological value orientation, to sustainably enhance TEE in the Yellow River Basin.

Keywords: sustainable tourism; tourism eco-efficiency; spatio-temporal differentiation; enhancement paths; Yellow River Basin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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