The Influence of International Tourism Receipts on Economic Development: Evidence from China’s 31 Major Regions

Abstract

This study applies a bootstrap panel Granger causality test to examine the causal relationship between international tourism receipts and economic growth in China’s 31 major regions for the period from 1995 to 2015, accounting for both dependency and heterogeneity across regions. The empirical results of this study support evidence for the growth hypothesis in the regions, such as Anhui, Henan, Jiangxi, Jilin, Fujian, Jiangsu, Shandong, Tianjin, Chognqing, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Tibet, and Yunnan. A reverse relationship supports evidence on the conservation hypothesis for the regions, such as Hubei and Hunan. A reciprocal causal relationship was found in Hebei and Shannxi, while the result of a neutrality hypothesis supported 14 of these 31 major regions (i.e., Heilongjiang, Shanxi, Beijing, Guangdong, Hainan, Liaoning, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Ningxia, Sichuan, and Xinjiang). The empirical findings of this work provide important policy implications for China’s 31 major regions.