The dynamic influence of inbound tourism and film and drama industry in promoting environmental sustainability in China: new evidence from bootstrap ARDL approach

The ongoing climate changes have created various challenges for each industry to achieve sustainable environmental goals. Like other extensively growing industries, China's film and drama industry and inbound tourism are also responsible for contributing effectively toward a sustainable environment. Despite its significant importance, there is a dearth of empirical evidence that analyses these industry's environmental performance. Thus, this study fills the gap by applying the novel bootstrap ARDL approach and found that Inbound Tourism and Film and Drama industry increased environmental performance (reducing ecological footprint) in China. These results imply that entertainment industries and inbound tourism increased social awareness and encouraged environmental protection in societies and industries. Manifestly, the coefficient's magnitude of the Film and Drama industry is relatively lower due to a smaller share of the overall economy. However, it shows significant potential for sustainability by creating awareness about sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility, leading to higher environmental performance. Moreover, a feedback effect (two-way causality) exists between Film and Drama industry, Inbound Tourism, and environmental performance. These results offer valuable policy recommendations.