LAUSR

Abstract This study proposes a methodology for evaluating the ecological security of the tourism industry (ESTI) in Ecological Conservation Development Areas (ECDAs). Use of this methodology allows researchers to assess the level of sustainable development at tourist destinations. The Beijing ECDA in China was chosen as the study area. The research findings show that the composite index of ESTI for Beijing's ECDA improved rapidly during the years 2005–2014, and that there is great potential for further improvements in the future. The grades of ESTI in many sub-regions improved from Ⅱ or Ⅲ to Ⅳ or Ⅴ, and fluctuations in the level of ESTI sharply increased. Additionally, a gray relational grade model was used to calculate the gray correlation degree of the factors affecting ESTI in Beijing's ECDA. The main factors affecting ESTI in the Beijing ECDA were the response and factors related to government decisions and actions. A number of environmental indicators and indicators that gauge the development of the tourism economy have had an important impact on ESTI in the Beijing ECDA. This study explores new perspectives in the hope of developing a better understanding of the relationship between the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the ecological security of ECDAs. Such an understanding could enrich theories of tourism ecology and support the green development of the tourism industry. The findings of this study can also provide policymakers with ideas that can help in the formulation of effective policies to promote ESTI in ECDAs.