Estimation of Carbon Emissions from Tourism Transport and Analysis of Its Influencing Factors in Dunhuang
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear authors,
The manuscript entitled " Estimation of carbon emissions from tourism transport and analysis of its influencing factors in Dunhuang " represents a valuable and interesting study that examines an estimation of carbon emissions from tourism transport. Below is the list with my suggestions for manuscript enhancement.
- In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on lowering carbon emissions in specific regions and industries. As a result, several sorts of studies have been conducted to address carbon emissions from tourist transportation and other sources. The authors did not offer the most recent research and findings on this topic. Most literary citations are out of date, given the topic's importance and actuality. For example, considering the volume of research in this field, I propose that the authors include the following publications in their literature review and discussion:
Ma, H., Liu, J., & Xi, J. (2022). Decoupling and decomposition analysis of carbon emissions in Beijing’s tourism traffic. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 24(4), 5258-5274.
Chen, L., Yi, L., Cai, R., & Yang, H. (2022). Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Correlation among Tourism, CO2 Emissions, and Economic Growth in China. Sustainability, 14(14), 8373.
Wu, X., Zhou, S., Xu, G., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Research on carbon emission measurement and low-carbon path of regional industry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-17.
Xiao, F., Pang, Z., Yan, D., Kong, Y., & Yang, F. (2022). How does transportation infrastructure affect urban carbon emissions? an empirical study based on 286 cities in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-19.
Zha, J., Dai, J., Ma, S., Chen, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). How to decouple tourism growth from carbon emissions? A case study of Chengdu, China. Tourism Management Perspectives, 39, 100849.
Huang, T., & Tang, Z. (2021). Estimation of tourism carbon footprint and carbon capacity. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 16(3), 1040-1046.
Gunter, U., & Wöber, K. (2021). Estimating transportation-related CO2 emissions of European city tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(1), 145-168.
Neger, C., Prettenthaler, F., Gössling, S., & Damm, A. (2021). Carbon intensity of tourism in Austria: Estimates and policy implications. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 33, 100331.
Pan, Y., Weng, G., Li, C., & Li, J. (2021). Coupling coordination and influencing factors among tourism carbon emission, tourism economic and tourism innovation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1601.
- In my opinion, the biggest shortcomings of the paper are its discussion of results, conclusions, and practical contributions.
- The findings should shed light on the theoretical framework and practice of sustainable tourism development. It is not presented in the paper.
- The authors should present a comparison of the results in the regional and international context within the discussion.
- What are the theoretical and practical implications of the paper? In the conclusion, the authors should present implications for public policy and stakeholders in tourism.
- The manuscript is not technically organised in accordance with the journal's recommendations.
Author Response
Point 1: In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on lowering carbon emissions in specific regions and industries. As a result, several sorts of studies have been conducted to address carbon emissions from tourist transportation and other sources. The authors did not offer the most recent research and findings on this topic. Most literary citations are out of date, given the topic's importance and actuality. For example, considering the volume of research in this field, I propose that the authors include the following publications in their literature review and discussion:
Ma, H., Liu, J., & Xi, J. (2022). Decoupling and decomposition analysis of carbon emissions in Beijing’s tourism traffic. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 24(4), 5258-5274.
Chen, L., Yi, L., Cai, R., & Yang, H. (2022). Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Correlation among Tourism, CO2 Emissions, and Economic Growth in China. Sustainability, 14(14), 8373.
Wu, X., Zhou, S., Xu, G., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Research on carbon emission measurement and low-carbon path of regional industry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-17.
Xiao, F., Pang, Z., Yan, D., Kong, Y., & Yang, F. (2022). How does transportation infrastructure affect urban carbon emissions? an empirical study based on 286 cities in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-19.
Zha, J., Dai, J., Ma, S., Chen, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). How to decouple tourism growth from carbon emissions? A case study of Chengdu, China. Tourism Management Perspectives, 39, 100849.
Huang, T., & Tang, Z. (2021). Estimation of tourism carbon footprint and carbon capacity. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 16(3), 1040-1046.
Gunter, U., & Wöber, K. (2021). Estimating transportation-related CO2 emissions of European city tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(1), 145-168.
Neger, C., Prettenthaler, F., Gössling, S., & Damm, A. (2021). Carbon intensity of tourism in Austria: Estimates and policy implications. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 33, 100331.
Pan, Y., Weng, G., Li, C., & Li, J. (2021). Coupling coordination and influencing factors among tourism carbon emission, tourism economic and tourism innovation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1601.
Response 1: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the most recent referenced literature has been added, as follow:
[14] Gunter, U.; Wöber, K. Estimating transportation-related CO2 emissions of European city tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2021, 30(1), 145-168.
[15] Neger, C.; Prettenthaler, F.; Gössling, S.; Damm, A. Carbon intensity of tourism in Austria: Estimates and policy implications. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 2021, 33, 100331.
[22] Xiao, F.; Pang, Z.; Yan, D.; Kong, Y.; Yang, F. How does transportation infrastructure affect urban carbon emissions? an empirical study based on 286 cities in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2022, 1-19.
[23] Huang, T.; Tang, Z. Estimation of tourism carbon footprint and carbon capacity. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 2021, 16(3), 1040-1046.
[24] Pan, Y.; Weng, G.; Li, C.; Li, J. Coupling coordination and influencing factors among tourism carbon emission, tourism economic and tourism innovation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18(4), 1601.
[31] Chen, L.; Yi, L.; Cai, R.; Yang, H. Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Correlation among Tourism, CO2 Emissions, and Economic Growth in China. Sustainability, 2022, 14(14), 8373.
[32] Zha, J.; Dai, J.; Ma, S.; Chen, Y.; Wang, X. How to decouple tourism growth from carbon emissions? A case study of Chengdu, China. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2021, 39, 100849.
[33] Ma, H.; Liu, J.; Xi, J. Decoupling and decomposition analysis of carbon emissions in Beijing’s tourism traffic. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2022, 24(4), 5258-5274.
Point 2: In my opinion, the biggest shortcomings of the paper are its discussion of results, conclusions, and practical contributions.
Response 2: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the conclusions and results have been revised thoroughly (see the track change version).
Point 3: The findings should shed light on the theoretical framework and practice of sustainable tourism development. It is not presented in the paper.
Response 3: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the theoretical framework and practice have been revised thoroughly (highlighted in red).
Point 4: The authors should present a comparison of the results in the regional and international context within the discussion.
Response 4: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, a comparison of carbon emissions in Dunhuang and other region have been presented in the text, as shown on page 11:“(8) The annual average growth rate of carbon emissions from tourism transport in Dunhuang was higher than in the rest of the region [14, 33, and 37], the reason may be that Dunhuang is located in western China and the tourists usually travel long distances to get there, Moreover, western region of China has become one of the top national tourist destinations. The carbon emission was rising steadily in the areas of western region of China.”
Point 5: What are the theoretical and practical implications of the paper? In the conclusion, the authors should present implications for public policy and stakeholders in tourism.
Response 5: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the theoretical and practical implications have been presented in the text, as shown on page 12: “6. The Main Policy Recommendation
According to the calculation and analysis results of carbon emissions from tourism transportation in Dunhuang, the practical policy recommendations for tourists to reduce carbon emissions are put forward as follows:
(1) Dunhuang, as a world-renowned scenic spot and the nation's key cultural relic protection site, has grown significantly in the past few years. As the numbers of tourists continue to grow, tourists should be selected with the low-carbon way to travel, such as electric vehicles or high speed railway.
(2) There is a need to promote low-carbon tourism and construct low-carbon tourist facilities in tourist destination, meanwhile, tourism management department and related enterprises in Dunhuang should actively participate in the advocacy of low-carbon tourism.
(3) The relevant administrative department for tourism in Dunhuang should learn from the successful experience of other regions, such as defining appropriate standard and promoting the overall pattern of low-carbon tourism.”
Point 6: The manuscript is not technically organized in accordance with the journal's recommendations.
Response 6: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the text has been checked thoroughly for the correct use of grammar, and edited to a level suitable for reporting research in a scholarly journal. The detailed revision could be found in the track change version of revised draft (highlighted in red).
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors deal with a very frequent and noticeable problem of mass tourism, namely the degree of pollution caused by mass tourism. The abstract is written according to the standard and includes all necessary data related to the aim and results of the research.
It is recommended to enter one sentence indicating the theoretical and applied significance of the research results.
The introduction is very comprehensively written, with the necessary review of literature from the same research problem. It contains introductory considerations on global climate change, as well as the impact of developed mass tourism on the environment.The introduction is very comprehensively written, with the necessary review of literature from the same research problem. It contains introductory considerations on global climate change, as well as the impact of developed mass tourism on the environment. It can be seen that the authors also pointed out the importance of their research in the introductory part. The introductory part is combined with a literature review.
Through the methodology, they highlight the use of two methods, input-output analysis and process analysis. Through the first model, they provided available statistical data. Calculation models are precisely and clearly presented in the methodology. LMDI decomposition method for decomposing the factors of influencing carbon emissions is clearly described and understandable. Also, they obtained the study data from the Dunhuang Statistical Yearbooks.
In the results, all the data about evolution mechanism of carbon emissions from tourism transport are clearly given, and the contribution of different factors to carbon emissions from tourism transport is explained through a graphic representation. Specific results are given at the end of the chapter, under serial numbers, which further simplifies the understanding of the results for readers.
It is recommended that the discussion be expanded. The importance of research or summarizing significant data on pollution is given in the conclusion chapter, but it is necessary to point out the limitations in research or collection of available literature, as well as future implications.
Authors are suggested to expand the list of references.
Suggestions were given to the authors to change the title, add a chapter that connects the manuscript and research with sustainable development, supplement the abstract, as well as the conclusion with the limiting circumstances of the research, as well as the future implications that they consider to exist. The concept of sustainability needs to be used throughout the manuscript, so that the topic is appropriate for the journal. Also, it is suggested that they do not use the first person singular and plural. Supplementing references is required.
Author Response
Point 1: The authors deal with a very frequent and noticeable problem of mass tourism, namely the degree of pollution caused by mass tourism. The abstract is written according to the standard and includes all necessary data related to the aim and results of the research.
Response 1: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment.
Point 2: It is recommended to enter one sentence indicating the theoretical and applied significance of the research results.
Response 2: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, one sentence have been presented in the text, as shown on page 11(highlighted in red): “The research results are the theoretical significance and important practical value for the low-carbon development of the tourism, and provide a reference for other regions to control of carbon emissions from tourism transport.”
Point 3: The introduction is very comprehensively written, with the necessary review of literature from the same research problem. It contains introductory considerations on global climate change, as well as the impact of developed mass tourism on the environment. The introduction is very comprehensively written, with the necessary review of literature from the same research problem. It contains introductory considerations on global climate change, as well as the impact of developed mass tourism on the environment. It can be seen that the authors also pointed out the importance of their research in the introductory part. The introductory part is combined with a literature review.
Response 3: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the authors separated the literature review from the introduction. The detailed revision could be found in the track change version of revised draft in page 1-4 (highlighted in red), as follows:
2.Literature Review
2.1. Relationship between Carbon Emission and Tourism Activities
The Scholars have studied the relationship between tourism activities and carbon emissions. According to the literature review of related studies in China and abroad, it was found that the existing literature mainly focuses on the characteristics of carbon emissions from the tourism activities. For instance, Gössling estimated that CO2 emissions of the global tourism activities reached 1400 Mt in 2001, which accounted for 5.3% of overall level of emission in that year[9]. In New Zealand, tourism has become the sixth most important sector in terms of energy consumption after metal manufacturing, living consumption, transportation, mining, warehousing and quarrying industry [10]. In Penghu Islands of the Taiwan Straits，China, the tourism activities displays an annual average energy consumption of 0.74 PJ [11].For 27 African countries, tourism is positive factors leading to increased carbon emissions according to panel data spanning 2000 through 2020 [12].Yiidirim et al. [13] studied the effect of visitor numbers on CO2 emissions for Mediterranean countries. Gunter et al. [14] presented a method to assess transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions of tourism in European city. Studies have explored evidence that the carbon emissions generated as part of abroad to travel, and indicated to reduce the carbon footprint of the Austrian tourism sector [15].
China is currently undergoing an acceleration of industrialization and urbanization. For this reason, China has ranked second in the world in terms of energy consumption [16]. Developed countries are calling for higher China´s allocation of carbon emission allowance; in this context, China is facing significant difficulties in saving energy and reducing carbon emissions [17]. In 2020, China received a total of 2.879 billion tourists, resulting in a huge amount of carbon emissions. Thus, there is an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions that it will peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality [18].Based on the tourism satellite account and input-output model, the carbon emissions of tourism coupling system has established for China's international tourism [19]. Using the tourism's CO2 emission data of China, tourism's carbon emissions are growing significantly [20]. 30 provincial administrative regions in China were selected as the basic research units, the influencing factors of tourism transportation carbon emission was explored [21].Based on the panel data of China, scholars have also quantified the carbon emissions related to the specific aspect of the tourism, such as transportation infrastructure [22], tourism carbon footprint [23], and industrial structure [24].
2.2. Relationship between Carbon Emission and Transportation
While tourism activities have a profound impact on economic growth, it is important to point out that all tourism activities dependent on fuel emissions energy [25].Carbon emissions of the tourism activities have been rising every year is globally experiencing a continuous upturn [26], transportation was a primary source of carbon emissions [27]. Energy consumption of tourism transport accounts for 72.08% of the total tourism-related energy consumption [28]. Carbon emissions reduction has become a topic of great interest to researchers since low-carbon tourism is expected to be the dominant orientation of tourism development. With respect to carbon emissions from tourism transport, there is few research results related to carbon emissions based on spatial scale semantics. The LMDI decomposition method has been commonly used to build the carbon emissions model for regional tourism transport [29, 30].Therefore, it is of great significance to study the coupling coordination of carbon emission and transportation in China.
2.3. Decomposition of Tourism Traffic Carbon Emission Drivers
On the decomposition of tourism traffic carbon emission driving factors, scholars have done a lot of research. Chen et al. [31] decomposed the carbon emissions in China during 2000-2019 based on the bottom-up approach, maintaining the mutual-promoted and mutual-coordinated relations among different decoupling strategies in the tourism industry should be an important issue to governmental authorities [32].Ma et al. [33] measured the carbon emissions of tourism traffic in Beijing by Tapio model and Logarithm Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) approach, and discussed the relationship between tourism traffic carbon emissions and the influencing factors. LMDI decomposition method is the most common method used for estimating carbon emissions from tourism transport [34]. It has been reported that LMDI attribution was used to determine the factors affecting greenhouse gas emissions in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region of China, the results showed that energy consumption was a dominant factor resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions [35]. One investigation applied the LMDI decomposition method to study changes in carbon emissions in the electricity sector [36], the LDMI method has the advantages of no residual error and strong applicability [37].The results of using LMDI decomposition method to study carbon emissions, most of them study carbon emissions as a whole.
This paper aimed to evaluate and analyze the carbon emissions from tourism transport of Dunhuang in western China; apply the Kaya identity to determine carbon emissions of tourism traffic for the new tourist destination; and use the LMDI decomposition method to reveal the contribution of different factors to the change of tourism traffic carbon emissions. The historical and culture city of Dunhuang was taken as examples to fully realize the sustainable development of tourism industry.
Point 4: Through the methodology, they highlight the use of two methods, input-output analysis and process analysis. Through the first model, they provided available statistical data. Calculation models are precisely and clearly presented in the methodology. LMDI decomposition method for decomposing the factors of influencing carbon emissions is clearly described and understandable. Also, they obtained the study data from the Dunhuang Statistical Yearbooks.
Response 4: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment.
Point 5: In the results, all the data about evolution mechanism of carbon emissions from tourism transport are clearly given, and the contribution of different factors to carbon emissions from tourism transport is explained through a graphic representation. Specific results are given at the end of the chapter, under serial numbers, which further simplifies the understanding of the results for readers.
Response 5: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment.
Point 6: It is recommended that the discussion be expanded. The importance of research or summarizing significant data on pollution is given in the conclusion chapter, but it is necessary to point out the limitations in research or collection of available literature, as well as future implications.
Response 6: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the authors have added the limitations in research, as follow:“7. Research Prospect The emphasis of this dissertation is Dunhuang's carbon emissions from tourism transport and its influencing factors. The main shortage in this study is as follows. First, the study was restricted to Dunhuang in western China; the direction of the future work is needed to explore other China's 5A scenic areas in order to examine the differences of the influencing factors on the growths of carbon emissions in different types of tourism destinations. Second, the time span of 10 years is relatively short to investigate the long-term effect of carbon emissions from tourism transport.”
The conclusions have been revised in the text, as shown on page 11, as follow: “5. Conclusion and discussion In this study the process analysis method was used to estimate the tourism traffic carbon emissions in Dunhuang from 2010 to 2019. The research results are the theoretical significance and important practical value for the low-carbon development of the tourism, and provide a reference for other regions to control of carbon emissions from tourism transport.
According to the calculation results, the tourism transport carbon emissions have been on an increase for the past 10 years. The air tour industry has been the most carbon emissions before 2016, however, road travel accounted for the largest proportion of carbon emissions after 2017. In addition, with the increase of the Dunhuang Mogao International Airport line, carbon emissions from air travel will increase in Dunhuang. At the same time, we concluded that tourism activities to GDP, passenger turnover per unit of GDP and energy structure were largely inhibited the increase of carbon emissions. That is to say, there is bidirectional causality between national income (GDP) and carbon emissions, energy use and economic growth.”
Point 7: Authors are suggested to expand the list of references.
Response 7: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the referenced literature has been added, as follow:
[6]World Tourism Organization and International Transport Forum. Transport-related CO2 Emissions of the Tourism Sector–Modelling Results. Madrid :UNWTO , 2019.
[14] Gunter, U.; Wöber, K. Estimating transportation-related CO2 emissions of European city tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2021, 30(1), 145-168.
[15] Neger, C.; Prettenthaler, F.; Gössling, S.; Damm, A. Carbon intensity of tourism in Austria: Estimates and policy implications. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 2021, 33, 100331.
[22] Xiao, F.; Pang, Z.; Yan, D.; Kong, Y.; Yang, F. How does transportation infrastructure affect urban carbon emissions? an empirical study based on 286 cities in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2022, 1-19.
[23] Huang, T.; Tang, Z. Estimation of tourism carbon footprint and carbon capacity. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 2021, 16(3), 1040-1046.
[24] Pan, Y.; Weng, G.; Li, C.; Li, J. Coupling coordination and influencing factors among tourism carbon emission, tourism economic and tourism innovation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18(4), 1601.
[31] Chen, L.; Yi, L.; Cai, R.; Yang, H. Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Correlation among Tourism, CO2 Emissions, and Economic Growth in China. Sustainability, 2022, 14(14), 8373.
[32] Zha, J.; Dai, J.; Ma, S.; Chen, Y.; Wang, X. How to decouple tourism growth from carbon emissions? A case study of Chengdu, China. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2021, 39, 100849.
[33] Ma, H.; Liu, J.; Xi, J. Decoupling and decomposition analysis of carbon emissions in Beijing’s tourism traffic. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2022, 24(4), 5258-5274.
[37]Zhao, X.C.; Jiang, M.; Zhang, Wei. Decoupling between Economic Development and Carbon Emissions and Its Driving Factors: Evidence from China. International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022, 2, 2893
Point 8: Suggestions were given to the authors to change the title, add a chapter that connects the manuscript and research with sustainable development, supplement the abstract, as well as the conclusion with the limiting circumstances of the research, as well as the future implications that they consider to exist. The concept of sustainability needs to be used throughout the manuscript, so that the topic is appropriate for the journal. Also, it is suggested that they do not use the first person singular and plural. Supplementing references is required.
Response 8: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the text has been checked thoroughly for the correct use of grammar, and the concept of sustainability has been presented in the text. The detailed revision could be found in the track change version of revised draft.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and suggestions are in the file (annex)
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Point 1: The authors described the research process clearly in the “introduction”. Simultaneously, the introduction includes some important theoretical issues. However, the inclusion of a section titled literature review could improve the theoretical framework.
Response 1: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the authors separated the literature review from the introduction; introduction and literature review have been presented in the text. The detailed revision could be found in the track change version of revised draft in page 1-4(highlighted in red).
Point 2: Authors (lines 38-41) point out a UNWTO report of 2017. They say (line 40) : “are expected to increase 130%” . Change from when to when?
Response 2: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. The meaning of this sentence is not clearly expressed; the author has revised this sentence, as follow: “…are expected to increase by 130% by 2035.”
Point 3: Authors point out the UNWTO report of 2017. Additionally, authors might consider the following report: UNWTO (2019). Transport-related CO2 Emissions of the Tourism Sector. Modelling Results, in https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284416660
Response 3: Thanks for the comments. The authors have added the literature in the list of references as follow: “[6] World Tourism Organization and International Transport Forum. Transport-related CO2 Emissions of the Tourism Sector–Modelling Results. Madrid :UNWTO , 2019 . ”
Point 4: In the section “introduction”, authors point out a set of case studies associated with different countries or world subregions. However, it could also be important to clarify the different time periods considered, the different variables analysed and to point out a hierarchy from world, subregions and countries. For instance, authors point out information regarding world in 2001 (p. 51), then New Zealand (p. 52), then China, then Africa. The Paris Agreement charted a new course in the effort to combat global climate change, requiring countries to make commitments and progressively strengthen them.
Response 4: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the authors separated the literature review from the introduction; introduction and literature review have been presented in the text. The detailed revision could be found in the track change version of revised draft in page 1 -4(highlighted in red).
Point 5: LDMI - Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index approach introduced by Ang and Choi (1997) has become popular. Please specify why. For instance, consider the following paper regarding China, once it discusses, on the whole, from 2009 to 2019, China’s carbon emissions and economic development level increased year by year. Additionally, it analyzes the overall characteristics of carbon emissions in different regions of China and has a systematic understanding of carbon emissions and economic development in different regions of China. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8910065/
Response 5: Thanks for the comments. The LDMI method has the advantages of no residual error and strong applicability, in addition, The authors have added the literature in the list of references as follow: “[37] Zhao, X.C.; Jiang, M.; Zhang, Wei. Decoupling between Economic Development and Carbon Emissions and Its Driving Factors: Evidence from China. International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022, 2, 2893.”
Point 6: Line 240–authors point out a set of “conclusions”. It’s better to underline the conclusion in the section “4. Conclusions and discussion”. It’s better to discuss the results.
Response 6: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the conclusions and discussion have been revised thoroughly (see the track change version).
Point 7: Line 253 – authors underline: “… in Dunhuang than in other scenic spots”, Such as? In China?
Response 7: Thanks for the comments. The meaning of this sentence is not clearly expressed, the author has revised this sentence, as follows: “… in Dunhuang than in other China's 5A scenic areas.”
Point 8: Lines 254-257: Please clarify.
Response 8: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, Lines 254-257 has been revised, the authors have improved the sentence, as follow :“(4) The development of tourism has a positive impact on GDP growth. Tourism is a low-polluting and highly profitable industry, our results showed that the constant development of the tourism activities resulted in carbon emissions reduction.”
Point 9: The section “4. Conclusions and discussion” is clear and highlights relevant outputs. Additionally, it’s important to underline potential changes in China, such as efficiency improvements and electric vehicles, energy innovations in aviation, High speed rail operational where current projects exist or are planned, among others.
Response 9: Thanks for the comments. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the conclusions and discussion have been revised thoroughly (see the track change version).
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
The article addresses a complex, but relevant and necessary topic to understand and therefore manage the environmental impact of tourism. It is presented clearly. However, the conclusions and discussion section can be improved in terms of comparison with the literature review and with previous studies. The authors indicate that "These empirical results are according to the theoretical expectation and support the previous studies". However, this could be developed further and citations referring to this bibliography and previous work should be incorporated.
Author Response
Point 1: The article addresses a complex, but relevant and necessary topic to understand and therefore manage the environmental impact of tourism. It is presented clearly. However, the conclusions and discussion section can be improved in terms of comparison with the literature review and with previous studies. The authors indicate that "These empirical results are according to the theoretical expectation and support the previous studies". However, this could be developed further and citations referring to this bibliography and previous work should be incorporated.
Response 1: The authors appreciate the reviewer’s comment. According to the reviewer’s suggestion, the conclusions and discussion have been revised thoroughly (see the track change version).
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear authors,
Thank you for considering the proposals and suggestions for correcting the manuscript entitled "Estimation of carbon emissions from tourism transport and analysis of its influencing factors in Dunhuang."
I believe that the manuscript is suitable for publication in the scientific journal Sustainability.
Best regards,
Reviewer
