From mass tourism to low-carbon futures
A tiered pathway for sustainable tourism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21699402 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ziqing Wang (0009-0001-9124-6107, Sheffield Hallam University, corresponding author), Annum Rafique (0000-0002-3091-4335, University of Birmingham) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-20 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-02 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Current Issues in Tourism (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1368-3500 • E-ISSN: 1747-7603 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13683500.2025.2597432 |
| OpenAlex | W7108216841 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 30 |
Tourism fuels economic growth yet simultaneously exacerbates carbon emissions, presenting a critical sustainability challenge. This study examines the complex relationship between tourism dependency, economic growth, and carbon emissions by employing a tiered analytical framework. Using panel data from 2000 to 2020, we demonstrate that increased tourism volume (arrivals) tends to elevate per capita CO2 emissions, particularly in highly tourism-dependent economies. In contrast, tourism quality, when measured through receipts and yield, can mitigate environmental pressures by incentivising sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon innovations. The analysis reveals significant heterogeneity across dependency tiers, including inverted-N emissions dynamics and rebound effects, underscoring the importance of adaptive, phase-sensitive governance. Policy moderation results highlight that environmental accounting (e.g. SEEA-Tourism) and carbon pricing are most effective when tailored to a country’s dependency profile and enforcement capacity. The findings offer a practical roadmap for aligning tourism growth with climate goals, providing nuanced insights for policymakers navigating the trade-offs between economic development and environmental sustainability
Ecotourism · Greenhouse gas · Panel data · Per capita · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Sustainable tourism · Tourism · COVID-19 impact on air quality · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Energy, Environment, Economic Growth
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |