How does digital infrastructure construction affect tourism development? Evidence from Chinese cities

Existing literature mainly examined the effect of transportation infrastructure on tourism development. However, there has been less discussion about the tourism performance of digital infrastructure. Using multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) methodology and introducing the technology-organisation-environmental (TOE) framework, this paper addresses the effect of digital infrastructure construction (DIC) on tourism development and explores its influencing pathways. Using panel data from 282 Chinese cities from 2011-2019, the paper applies the 'Broadband China' pilot (BCP) policy as a credible proxy for DIC. The results suggest that DIC remarkably improves tourism development. Heterogeneous effects reveal that improvement is more pronounced in central & western and small-sized cities. Notably, strengthening internet development, optimising tourism factor structure, and promoting digital finance are effective pathways for DIC to facilitate tourism development. This paper offers policy guidance for the establishment of digital China and the high-quality development of tourism.