The impact of new infrastructure investment on the international tourism industry: new evidence from China

This study used panel data from 31 provinces and cities in China between 2011 and 2019 for empirical testing, aiming to understand the contribution of new infrastructure investment in China to the international tourism industry. The research findings indicate that infrastructure investment in China had a positive impact on the development of international tourism. With the increase in infrastructure investment, the number of inbound overnight tourists and the international tourism revenue also increased. Mechanism analysis shows that transportation accessibility and information technology levels influenced international tourism; that is, new infrastructure investments improved the regional transportation environment and enhanced the level of information technology, which was beneficial for international tourism. In addition, there was apparent regional heterogeneity in the impact of new infrastructure investments in China on the international tourism industry. Overall, China's investment in new infrastructure has led to enormous opportunities for the development of the international tourism industry.