Ecological certification and regional development benefits: evidence from tourist destination rating system

Ecological certification serves as a pivotal mechanism for fostering coordinated regional economic and environmental development. Utilizing county-level panel data from 2000 to 2019, this study examines the impact of High-standard tourist destinations (HSTDs) certification on regional development. The findings reveal that this certification significantly boosts regional economic growth while concurrently reducing PM2.5 concentrations. A slight decline in vegetation coverage, however, is also observed, attributable to land-use changes driven by the expansion of tourism infrastructure. Analysis of underlying mechanisms reveals that HSTDs drive industrial restructuring, enhance destination reputation and infrastructure agglomeration, and strengthen environmental regulation intensity. Further analysis shows divergent effects: 4A-level destinations primarily stimulate growth through scale economies, whereas 5A-level sites emphasize ecological governance with limited economic returns. Natural destinations yield balanced economic-environmental benefits, while non-natural ones induce ecological space trade-offs. The findings underscore a “dual dividend”, economic growth and pollution control, yet caution against ecological risks from unmanaged tourism development.