The Sustainability Impact of Tourism Industry Agglomeration on Regional Economic Gap

Abstract

Tourism has become a key driver of economic growth and regional development, yet its impact on economic disparities and sustainability remains underexplored. Against the backdrop of global efforts to achieve sustainable development, this study investigates the role of tourism industry agglomeration in addressing regional economic disparities, with a focus on the moderating effects of transport and information infrastructure. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces and cities spanning 2004 to 2020, we integrate transport and information infrastructure into a research framework to examine the relationship between tourism industry agglomeration and regional economic disparities. Through multiple econometric methods, we empirically analyze the influence of tourism industry concentration density on regional economic gaps and explore the underlying mechanisms. Our findings indicate that tourism industry agglomeration significantly reduces regional economic disparities, while transport and information infrastructure play a crucial moderating role, albeit with regional and temporal heterogeneity. Furthermore, the relationship between tourism agglomeration and economic disparities, as well as the role of infrastructure, exhibits nonlinear characteristics, suggesting complex interactions. Importantly, the study underscores the potential of sustainable tourism practices in fostering long-term economic balance and environmental preservation, aligning with global sustainability goals. These insights provide valuable references for policymakers aiming to narrow economic gaps and promote coordinated regional development through sustainable tourism strategies.