Research on Interactions between the Economy and Environment in Tourism Development: Case of Qingyang, China

Abstract

Tourism has rapidly developed into one of the world’s largest industries, and represents a new growth point for stimulating a region’s economic and social development. Therefore, a clear understanding of the interactive relationship between the tourism industry, the economy and the environment, as well as the potential mechanisms involved, can play an important role in improving the coordination between these three elements and forming a sustainable development policy. By utilizing quantitative analysis methods and models, this study uses Qingyang City, Gansu Province, as a case study, and tests the relationship between the development of the tourism industry, the economy and the environment. This study makes a number of important conclusions: (1) a mutually promoting relationship does not exist between the development of the tourism industry and economic growth; instead, a unidirectional relationship is found between the two elements. Similarly, a mutually promoting relationship does not exist between the development of the tourism industry and environmental quality; rather, a unidirectional relationship is found between the two elements. (2) The “curse effect” on economic growth imposed by the development of the tourism industry is found to exist. The development of the tourism industry not only exerts a direct negative influence on economic growth, but also adversely affects it in an indirect way through its influence over some transmission factors. Additionally, the curse effect on the environment imposed by the development of the tourism industry is also found to exist. The development of the tourism industry not only imposes a direct negative influence on the environment, but also adversely affects it in an indirect way through its influence over some transmission factors. (3) During the process of regional development, the relationship between the tourism industry, the economy and the environment needs to be correctly addressed. Through effective policies, it should be possible to realize the coordination of and sustainable development between the tourism industry, the economy and the environment.

Estimating the Impact of Air Pollution on Inbound Tourism in China: An Analysis Based on Regression Discontinuity Design

“…Similar findings are reported for some other countries, including Turkey [41], Cyprus [42], and 35 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries [43]. Lu et al [44] found that the growth of domestic tourism earnings in Qingyang City, Gansu, China increases the local discharge of garbage; and air pollutants discharged from waste disposal have become an air pollution source [45]. Based on a study in the Mallorca area of Spain, Saenz-de Miera and Rosselló [24] found that a 1% increase in tourist numbers was related to a 0.45% increase in PM 10 concentration levels.…”

Estimating the tourism‐induced province‐specific environmental Kuznets curve: Evidence from panel analyses of Chinese provinces

“…Ahmad, Draz, Lijuan, Ozturk, and Rauf (2018) find that tourism increases CO 2 emissions in four out of the five provinces considered. This relationship is also confirmed in Qingyang city (in Gansu province; Lu, Pang, Yang, & Wang, 2018) and in Chengdu city (in Sichuan province; Liu, Feng, & Yang, 2011). In addition, Liu et al (2011) and Tang et al (2014) find that tourism transportation contributes the most to overall tourism CO 2 emissions.…”

CRITIC‐Based Vertical Collusion Control Quality Prediction Based on the Coupling and Coordination Degrees of Socioenvironmental and Public‐Investment Bidding Systems in China

“…Aligning policymaking with the needs of the social environment is the cornerstone of quality social development, and vertical collusion puts such goals at risk [1][2][3]. Most extant research on collusive bidding has focused on corruption networks, behavioral detection, and gaming theory aspects [4][5][6][7][8].…”