Characteristics and drivers of changes in the carbon footprint of urban tourism in the post-COVID-19 era: A case study of Xi'an

COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures provide valuable social experimental opportunities for exploring the factors that affect changes in the urban tourism carbon footprint (TCFu). The study uses the carbon emission coefficient and energy consumption coefficient to calculate the TCFu of the transport, accommodation, catering, and recreational activity sectors, taking Xi'an from 2014 to 2020 as a case study. It analyzes the characteristics of the carbon footprint changes and their drivers in each sector. The results show that compared to before the outbreak of the pandemic, in the period afterwards, the TCFu decreased by 60.46%. The carbon footprint of tourism transport decreased the most. Carbon intensity has a significant inhibitory effect on the TCFu growth, and as drivers, the consumption level and population size shifted from promoting to inhibiting the TCFu. It emphasizes the importance of developing low-carbon tourism transportation to reduce the TCFu, providing a scientific basis for promoting the green transformation of urban tourism.