Against the backdrop of globalization and regional economic integration, border tourism, as a unique form of tourism, is increasingly emerging as a significant driving force for promoting economic development in border regions, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening international cooperation. The northwestern Yunnan region, located in China’s Southwestern frontier, is a key area bordering Southeast and South Asian countries, endowed with abundant border tourism resources. This article delves into the border tourism models and pathways for border development and prosperity in ethnic regions, using a case study of the Northwest Yunnan region to analyze the mechanisms and influencing factors of border tourism in promoting local economic development, social progress, and cultural heritage. This provides empirical evidence for further understanding the development patterns of border tourism and also contributes to strengthening ethnic unity and maintaining harmony and stability in border regions. This study addresses the current research gap in exploring the development models and pathways of border tourism in specific regions, offering valuable references and insights for future related research.
Jiang et al. (2025) studied this question.