Impact of Urbanization on Eco-Efficiency of Tourism Destinations

Abstract

Under the dual background of climate change and post-epidemic economic recovery, the study of the eco-efficiency of tourism destinations in the process of urbanization is critical to promoting the green and healthy development of tourism. This paper selects tourism destinations in 30 provinces of China in 2000–2019 as the research object, calculates the economic efficiency and eco-efficiency of China’s tourism destinations by constructing the Super-SBM (Slacks-Based Measure) model and visualizes the spatial distribution pattern and evolution trend of economic efficiency and eco-efficiency of China’s tourism destinations through spatial hotspot and center of gravity analysis. The coupling model is used to find the coupling relationship between the efficiency of China’s tourism destinations (economic efficiency and eco-efficiency) and urbanization. Finally, Tobit panel regression is used to find out how urbanization affects the eco-efficiency of tourism destinations. The results show that: (1) the eco-efficiency of tourism destinations in China is higher than the economic efficiency, as well as showing a downward trend. (2) The economic efficiency of tourism destinations in western China has increased while the eco-efficiency has declined. (3) China’s tourism destinations are undergoing the process of transformation and restructuring, and have not yet reached the decoupling standard. (4) On the whole, the improvement in urbanization is conducive to promoting the economic and environmentally sustainable development of tourism destinations. The main driving indicators are the living standards for urban residents, urban resources and environment, the industrial structure, and the role of the government. This study attempts to find a balance between the economic benefits and ecological impacts of tourism destinations and alleviate the real demand for the rapid economic recovery of tourism destinations in the post-epidemic era and the tension between human activities and the ecological environment. The research results are expected to provide a path for the healthy development of tourism destinations in the process of China’s new urbanization and provide a reference for tourism destinations in developing countries similar to China.