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How does tourism development affect environmental pollution?

Author

Listed:
  • Najid Ahmad

    (74623Hunan University of Science and Technology, China; Yale University, USA)

  • Xuejiao Ma

    (12399Dalian University of Technology, China)

Abstract

Tourism development has often been considered as a growth pillar over recent decades; however, studies on whether and how it can contribute to pollution reduction are scant. This study fills the research gaps by exploring the role of tourism development in pollution emissions by investigating two influencing mechanisms—the industry substitution effect and energy substitution effect—in the context of Asian Tigers. Several econometric techniques are used to show that a 1% increase in tourism development can lead to a 0.3862% decrease in carbon emissions. The results of multiple mediating effect analyses indicate that the tourism sector can curb carbon emissions by both replacing high-emissions industries and promoting the use of renewable energy; the effect of the former path is 4% greater than that of the latter. This study should serve as a reference by which policymakers can develop sustainable tourism and reduce pollution emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Najid Ahmad & Xuejiao Ma, 2022. "How does tourism development affect environmental pollution?," Tourism Economics, , vol. 28(6), pages 1453-1479, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:28:y:2022:i:6:p:1453-1479
    DOI: 10.1177/13548166211000480
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    2. Nazir Muhammad Abdullahi & Adamu Ali Ibrahim & Qiangqiang Zhang & Xuexi Huo, 2025. "Dynamic linkages between financial development, economic growth, urbanization, trade openness, and ecological footprint: an empirical account of ECOWAS countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(10), pages 25103-25130, October.
    3. Jinxia Lou, 2024. "Analyzing intelligent tourism development and public services based on a fuzzy genetic hybrid system to promote environmental and cultural values," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18, July.
    4. Cai Li & Beverlley Madzikanda & Francis Tang Dabuo, 2025. "Analysis of China’s Green Industrial Transformation from the Perspective of Green Entrepreneurship," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(5), pages 17266-17291, November.
    5. Raifu, Isiaka & Airohi-alikor, Priscilla, 2025. "Modelling Tourism-Environmental Pollution-Health Outcomes Nexus in Africa," MPRA Paper 127414, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 20 Dec 2025.
    6. Isiaka Akande Raifu & Priscilla Airohi-Alikor, 2025. "Modelling tourism-environmental pollution-health outcomes nexus in Africa," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 45(4), pages 2055-2065.
    7. Concetta Castiglione & Davide Infante & Marta Zieba, 2025. "Contextual factors and efficiency gains in Italian tourist destinations," Tourism Economics, , vol. 31(5), pages 1006-1030, August.

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