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Fiscal Decentralization, Pollution and China’s Tourism Revenue

Author

Listed:
  • Shaolong Zeng

    (Economics and Management School, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China)

  • Lingyun Gao

    (Institute of World Economics and Politics, CASS, Beijing 100732, China)

  • Rui Shen

    (School of Economics, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Yingying Ma

    (Institute of World Economics and Politics, CASS, Beijing 100732, China)

  • Haiping Li

    (Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, China)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of local governments in the development of tourism in China by examining 30 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2018. The results of empirical research show that fiscal decentralization in China provides local governments with incentives for the development of high pollution industries and of large state-owned enterprises, which do not help the sustainable development of tourism. In addition, there is an “inverted U-shaped” relationship between pollution level and tourism development. Although the growth of China’s tourism industry is pollution-based currently, tourism revenue is considered to decline once a threshold is reached. The competition from local governments for foreign investment is conducive to the improvement of environmental quality and increase in tourism revenue. Based on this, we have proposed a series of sustainable tourism development measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaolong Zeng & Lingyun Gao & Rui Shen & Yingying Ma & Haiping Li, 2020. "Fiscal Decentralization, Pollution and China’s Tourism Revenue," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:1925-:d:327923
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jianan Liu & Ni Dai & Yuan Sui & Asmatullah Yaqoubi, 2023. "A Study on the Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Regional Green Development: A Perspective Based on the Emphasis on Sports," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Ziqiao Shu & Sanghyeon Ju, 2026. "How does China's local fiscal decentralization promote common prosperity? An analysis of the mediating role of rural revitalization," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 1-30, December.
    3. Soyoung Park & Sungchan Kim, 2023. "Does fiscal decentralization affect local governments' strategic behaviours? Evidence from South Korea," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 124-141, February.

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