This study evaluates the economic value of grassland tourism in Inner Mongolia, China, using mobile phone signaling data to track tourist flows from 333 cities to 103 counties in 2020. A zonal travel cost model, both parametric and non-parametric, was employed. Results indicate the tourism value ranged from 585. 9 to 598. 4 billion CNY (US 84. 9–86. 7 billion), about 2. 5 times the tourism revenue, constituting 29% of regional GDP. In the absence of COVID-19, the value would have reached 936. 5 billion CNY. The study reveals spatial disparities, with grassland quality, infrastructure, and regional development driving tourism value.
Liu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.