Spatial Interaction Spillover Effect of Tourism Eco-Efficiency and Economic Development

Tourism eco-efficiency (TEE) is a pivotal metric for assessing tourism’s sustainability and the balance between human activities and the environment, significantly influencing regional economic growth (RGDP). This research utilizes a comprehensive analytical framework, combining the Super SBM-DEA model, the Malmquist index, and spatial econometric models, to analyze the spatial interplay between TEE and RGDP within the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2009 to 2021. The results show that (1) TEE in the YREB exhibits a generally upward trajectory with fluctuations, with upstream and downstream regions consistently outperforming the midstream areas in terms of efficiency; (2) technological progress is identified as the primary driver behind efficiency variations; (3) and there exists a symbiotic relationship between local TEE and RGDP, where the economic prosperity of adjacent regions exerts a competitive pull on local TEE, while the TEE of neighboring areas can slow down local economic growth. The study concludes with strategic recommendations aimed at fostering regional collaborative advancement, offering valuable insights for the sustainable development agenda of nations and regions.