How does the digital economy affect carbon emissions from tourism? Empirical evidence from China

The rise in carbon emissions linked to the tourism industry has challenged its long-standing reputation as an ecofriendly sector. In parallel, the digital economy's evolution has introduced a series of transformations within tourism. This necessitates a thorough examination of the intricate interplay between the digital economy and carbon emissions in the tourism sector. With the help of Chinese provincial panel data, this study uncovers a compelling relationship marked by an inverted "U" curve through two-way fixed model, moderated effects model and threshold regression analysis. Intriguingly, an increase in road density shifts the inflection point of this curve to the lower left. As road density reaches a critical threshold of 0.361, it not only amplifies the elasticity of the inverted "U" curve but also accelerates the timeline to reach peak tourism-related carbon emissions. This study underscores a significant practical implication: while digital technology exacerbates carbon emissions from tourism at this stage, the dampening effect of digital technology is to be expected as the development of industrial manufacturing brings better transportation. However, the timing of the tipping point may be earlier or later for different regions, depending on whether the local level of industry is sufficiently developed.