Assessing the Sustainable Development Level of the Tourism Eco-Security System in the Chengdu-Chongqing Urban Agglomeration: A Comprehensive Analysis of Dynamic Evolution Characteristics and Driving Factors

Abstract

Based on the DPSIR framework, this study constructed an evaluation index system to assess the sustainable development levels of the tourism eco-security system (TESS-SDL) present in the Chengdu-–Chongqing urban agglomeration and synthesized multi-dimensional analysis methods to explore its spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and driving factors to provide an important theoretical and practical basis for promoting the sustainable development of the regional tourism eco-security system. The results showed the following: (1) From 2011 to 2021, the regional TESS-SDL was generally at a medium level and showed a trend of steady growth. Although the gap between cities was widening year by year, the speed of the TESS-SDL exceeded the speed of the widening gap, promoting the coordinated development of the regional TESS-SDL. (2) The spatial spillover effect of the regional TESS-SDL was obvious; however, the siphoning effects of Chongqing and Chengdu were strong, and the demonstration effect was insufficient. (3) The dynamic evolution process of the TESS-SDL shows a strong self-locking effect. The risk of downward development (lower sustainability) is greater than the potential for upward development (higher sustainability) and is significantly influenced by neighboring cities. (4) In terms for assessing the driving factors, open-door and green-development policies show positive facilitating effects, while the positive influencing capacities of information technology, economic development, and tourism are moving toward having negative effects; the influencing effect of technological innovation has transitioned from positive to negative.