Has the Establishment of National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zones Promoted Tourism Economic Growth? Empirical Evidence from 284 Chinese Cities

The strategic value of the digital economy in driving the transformation of the tourism industry has become increasingly prominent. This study investigates the impact of China’s National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zones (NBDCPZs) on tourism economic development. Using panel data from 284 cities (2009–2019), the study treats the policy as a quasi-natural experiment and applies multi-period DID, PSM, and spatial models. Results show that NBDCPZs significantly promote tourism growth, though effects decline over time and vary spatially—stronger in eastern regions and moderate in large cities. Industrial structure upgrading is identified as the main transmission channel, while financial support amplifies the policy effect, and human capital shows no significant moderation. The findings reveal how digital policy drives tourism transformation and provide practical insights for strengthening data—tourism integration, optimizing industrial structures, and fostering high-quality regional development.