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Spatial–Temporal Heterogeneity and the Related Influencing Factors of Tourism Efficiency in China

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  • Zhiliang Liu

    (Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Chengpeng Lu

    (Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Jinhuang Mao

    (Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
    School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Dongqi Sun

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Hengji Li

    (Lanzhou Information Center, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Chenyu Lu

    (College of Geography and Environment Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

Tourism efficiency is an effective index of measuring the development quality of the tourism industry. In this study, the tourism efficiency of 30 provinces in China during the period from 2006 to 2018 was measured with the SBM model and Malmquist index. On the basis of ESDA and GWR models, we explored the spatial pattern of China’s tourism efficiency and the spatial heterogeneity of the influencing factors in depth. The results revealed that China’s tourism efficiency has been constantly enhanced with an increasingly balanced pattern. Meanwhile, the utilization degrees of various input factors have constantly been improving. Both technological efficiency and technological progress jointly promote rapid growth of total-factor productivity. Accompanied with constant enhancement of the spatial agglomeration effect, the local spatial pattern also showed obvious differentiation. In general, low-efficiency regions were mainly concentrated in northern China, while high-efficiency regions were concentrated in southern China. The distinct spatial–temporal differentiation characteristics of tourist economic efficiency can be attributed to different influencing strengths of various factors in various regions and different action tendencies. The level of economic development, traffic conditions, the professional level of tourism, and openness degree can significantly promote tourism efficiency. Tourism resource endowment and environmental cost impose slight effects and differ in action direction, thereby inhibiting the tourism efficiency of many regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiliang Liu & Chengpeng Lu & Jinhuang Mao & Dongqi Sun & Hengji Li & Chenyu Lu, 2021. "Spatial–Temporal Heterogeneity and the Related Influencing Factors of Tourism Efficiency in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5825-:d:559862
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Guiling Wang & Lei Ye, 2022. "Spatial-Temporal Pattern of Mismatch Degree of High-Quality Tourism Development and Its Formation Mechanism in Taihu Lake Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Xingjia Qie, 2024. "Spatio-Temporal analysis of exports of cultural products and their affecting factors for spatial distribution," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Changping Yang & Yongxing Xia & Johnny F I Lam & Hongxi Chen & Huangxin Chen, 2024. "Analyzing the tourism efficiency and its influencing factors of China’s coastal provinces," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(5), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Quanhong Xu & Paranee Boonchai & Sutana Boonlua, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Domestic Tourist Flows and Tourism Industry Agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta, China," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-28, October.
    6. Lingling Chen & Lin Yi & Rongrong Cai & Hui Yang, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Correlation among Tourism, CO 2 Emissions, and Economic Growth in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-31, July.
    7. Lijuan Zhang & Azizan Marzuki & Zhenjie Liao, 2023. "The coordination pattern of tourism efficiency and development level in Guangdong Province under high-quality development," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    8. Songsong Zhao & Tai Huang & Jianchao Xi, 2022. "Understanding the Evolution of Regional Tourism Efficiency: Through the Lens of Evolutionary Economic Geography," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Yawei Wang & Yuanwen Geng & Qinqin Lin & Guoqiang Li & Baihui Wang & Dapeng Wang, 2022. "The Coupling Coordination Degree and Spatial Correlation Analysis of the Digital Economy and Sports Industry in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, December.
    10. Qian Wang & Chuan-Hao Yang & Di-Chen Zhao & Qi-Peng Zhang, 2025. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Accessibility of Educational Tourism Along the Yellow River Region from the Perspective of Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-19, September.
    11. Ming Hao & Gang Li & Changyou Chen & Liutao Liang, 2022. "A Coupling Relationship between New-Type Urbanization and Tourism Resource Conversion Efficiency: A Case Study of the Yellow River Basin in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-24, October.
    12. Kun Xiao & Wahid Ullah & Jiaqi Fu & Xinmin Zhang, 2023. "Poverty Alleviation Efficiency of Tourism and Its Spatiotemporal Differentiation in Jiangxi Province of China Based on the DEA Model," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, April.
    13. Lu, Chengpeng & Ji, Wei & Hou, Muchen & Ma, Tianyang & Mao, Jinhuang, 2022. "Evaluation of efficiency and resilience of agricultural water resources system in the Yellow River Basin, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    14. Yuxiang Zheng & Kegong Zhang, 2022. "A Study on the Evaluation of Green Innovation Efficiency and Influencing Factors of the Chinese Tourism Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    15. Ying Zhang & Yunyan Li, 2023. "Regional Differences in Tourism Eco-Efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region: Based on Data from 13 Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.

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