Coupling coordination relationship between tourism economy-social welfare-ecological environment: Empirical analysis of Western Area, China

Abstract

This study, adopting the modified entropy model, the coupling coordination degree model, and the modified gravity model, analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics regarding the coupling coordination relationship among tourism economy (TE), social welfare (SW), and eco-environment (EE) in Western Area of China. Finally, the OLS model was employed to empirically investigate an interactive relationship among three systems. This study draws three conclusions. First, the average level of TE, SW, and EE all presented a growth trend during the sample period. Second, the coupling coordination status of three systems went through the process of “nearly uncoordinated-barely coordinated-primary coordinated”. Third, there was an interactive effect among TE, SW, and EE. Our research can provide references for policymakers to accelerate the sustainable development in tourist destinations.

Keywords

• Tourism economy
• Social welfare
• Eco-environment
• Coupling coordination
• Western Area of China