Regional Differences in Tourism Eco-Efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region: Based on Data from 13 Cities

Abstract

In order to balance the economic development and ecological impact of tourism, it is essential to study tourism eco-efficiency in the context of sustainable development. This study analyzed regional tourism eco-efficiency based on the panel data of the 13 cities of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region using the super-SBM DEA model. Then, we analyzed the driving factors, compared regional differences, and investigated influencing factors of tourism eco-efficiency by applying the global Malmquist–Luenberger (GML) index, Theil index, and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) models. The results demonstrate the following: (1) The overall tourism eco-efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region between 2010 and 2019 was low, but it had an increasing trend. (2) The advancement of technological progress factors was mostly responsible for the increase in tourist eco-efficiency. (3) The results for tourism eco-efficiency were significantly polarizing, but the gap among the 13 cities is gradually narrowing. Regional differences are the main contributors to differences in tourism eco-efficiency. (4) Per capita GDP, the proportion of tertiary industry in GDP, the number of patents granted, and the proportion of urban population in the total population were the main factors affecting tourism eco-efficiency. This study could serve as a model for similar countries and regions seeking to enhance tourism eco-efficiency and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.