As China’s tourism industry transitions toward a high-quality development, evaluating operational efficiency (OE) is critical for ensuring long-term industry sustainability. Using the Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model, this study assesses the operational efficiency of 30 Chinese provinces from 2017 to 2023. The input indicators include the number of hotels, tourist attractions, travel agencies, and employees, while the outputs comprise tourism revenue and tourist arrivals. The empirical results indicate that overall efficiency leaves significant room for improvement in resource utilization. Temporally, the industry demonstrated a robust recovery, characterized by a pronounced efficiency rebound in 2023. Spatially, distinct heterogeneity exists: the central and western regions maintained relatively stable performance levels, while the Eastern region exhibited high revenue despite input redundancies. The Northeast consistently lagged behind. Furthermore, the analysis identifies multi-dimensional inefficiencies, specifically input redundancy in developed provinces and output insufficiency in other regions. Consequently, policy interventions should prioritize optimized resource allocation and enhanced regional cooperation to bridge these efficiency gaps.

Dengyu Zhu, Hao Zhang, Nan Xia, Lingge Meng, Shibo Shi. Evaluation of Operational Efficiency in China's Provincial Tourism Based on the SBM-DEA Model. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 1: 163-169. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2026.080122.

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