Educational tourism and environmental sustainability in China: A blessing or a burden?

As global tourism continues to expand, its dual role in promoting economic growth while increasing environmental degradation has become a key policy concern. The rise of educational tourism, driven by increasing international student mobility, presents environmental challenges that differ from those of traditional tourism. This study examines how educational tourism influences environmental degradation within China. Using balanced panel data from 30 provinces (2000-2020), we employ a threshold regression model that incorporates educational tourism, innovation, and human capital as threshold variables. The results validate the EKC hypothesis, showing an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation. Moreover, the study finds that educational tourism mitigates environmental degradation, and this effect strengthens once innovation surpasses a critical threshold. In addition, the findings indicate that human capital amplifies the pollution-mitigating effects of educational tourism and strengthens the role of innovation in reducing environmental degradation. Most importantly, the regional heterogeneity analysis shows that the threshold effects differ across provinces. Therefore, policymakers can foster innovation by expanding R&D investment and supporting the diffusion of technology. They can also strengthen human capital by improving the quality of education. Furthermore, encouraging international students to adopt low-carbon practices can reinforce the environmental gains associated with educational tourism.