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Abstract The seamless integration and harmonized advancement of eco-environmental conservation and the cultural tourism sector not only represent an indispensable trend and vital avenue for fostering regional sustainability, but also stand as a pivotal strategic imperative for shaping the distinctive allure of the area and fostering economic prosperity. This study conducted a thorough analysis of the development trajectory of subsystems within four provinces situated in the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River region spanning the years 2010 to 2019. This analysis was facilitated through the establishment of a comprehensive evaluation index system assessing the ecology-culture-tourism (ECT) system coupled coordination degree (CCD). By employing the CCD model, we scrutinized the CCD level across the middle reaches of the Yellow River region, while employing the barrier degree model to examine its driving factors. Findings revealed pronounced spatial disparities in the developmental status of subsystems across the four provinces within the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River region, underscored by an uneven developmental landscape. Nevertheless, the overarching CCD level of the ECT system within this region exhibited a consistent upward trajectory over time, transitioning gradually from a state of pronounced disunity to varying degrees of coordination. Within the ECT system, the cultural industry and ecological indices emerged as exerting a more conspicuous influence compared to other factors, while tourism infrastructure emerged as a primary impediment. Considering these findings, this paper forwards pertinent policy recommendations aimed at bolstering the CCD development level within the ECT system across the Middle Reaches of the Yellow River region. These recommendations aspire to foster mutual development, prosperity, and advancement among all stakeholders, furnishing robust backing for the realization of sustainable green development initiatives within the region and advocating for the adoption of resource-efficient, environmentally conscious developmental models.
Zhao et al. (Mon,) studied this question.