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Do City Honors Increase Tourism Economic Growth? A Quasi-Natural Experimental Research Study Based on “Civilized City” Selection in China

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  • Qiao Chen

    (School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan 430205, China)

  • Yan Mao

    (School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan 430205, China)

Abstract

“Civilized City” is the highest honor in China’s urban evaluation system. This research used a quasi-natural experiment approach to evaluate how the “Civilized City” designation influence tourism economic growth. The results showed that: (1) “Civilized City” selection promotes the growth of the tourism economy, and its impact on tourism income is greater than on the number of tourists. The “Civilized City” award is more conducive to the growth of the tourism economy than other city honors; (2) the “Civilized City” honor promotes institutional supply and adjusts the allocation of capital and labor, thereby promoting the growth of the tourism economy; and (3) the analysis showed that the impact of the “Civilized City” honor on a city’s tourism economy varies according to region, administrative level, and population size. The results of this research provide empirical support that city honors boost tourism economy growth and yield new evidence for cities to promote tourism development through awards and accreditations.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiao Chen & Yan Mao, 2021. "Do City Honors Increase Tourism Economic Growth? A Quasi-Natural Experimental Research Study Based on “Civilized City” Selection in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12545-:d:678271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Chi & Liu, Qiang & Ge, Guoqing & Hao, Ying & Hao, Han, 2021. "The impact of government intervention on corporate environmental performance: Evidence from China's national civilized city award," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Qiao Chen & Yan Mao & Alastair M. Morrison, 2023. "Study on the Influence of Cultural Communication on the Development of the Visitor Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Jingan Chen & Chengdong Yi & Yourong Wang & Tianyu Bi, 2022. "Do Honored Cities Achieve a Sustainable Development? A Quasi-Natural Experimental Study Based on “National Civilized City” Campaign in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Jiayu Kang & Xuejun Duan & Wei Yan & Zhiyuan Ma, 2022. "Spatial Differentiation and Impact Factors of Tourism Development: A Case Study of the Central Plains, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Xinyu Wang & Wensen Wu & Haodong Li, 2023. "The Impact of City Ranking on Industry Shifting: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, June.

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