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The purpose of this paper is to have a deeper understanding of the nonlinear relationship between the impact of climate change on tourism development. Current studies on the effects of climate change on tourism development primarily rely on linear correlation assumptions.

Based on the New Institutional Economics theory, the institutional setting inherently motivates and ensures the growth of the tourism industry. For a precise evaluation of the nonlinear consequences of climate change on tourism, this paper concentrates on Chinese cities between 2011 and 2021, methodically analyzing the influence of climate change on tourism.

The study findings suggest that there is an “inverse U”-shaped nonlinear relationship between climate change and tourism development, initially strengthening and subsequently weakening. Based on these findings, the research further delves into how institutional contexts shape the nonlinear association between climate change and tourism growth. It was found that in a higher institutional backdrop, the “inverse U” curve tends to flatten and surpass the curve adjusted for a lesser institutional context. Upon deeper mechanism analysis, it was observed that cities with more advanced marketization, improved industrial restructuring and enhanced educational growth exhibit a more evident “inverse U”-shaped nonlinear connection between climate change and tourism evolution.

First, previous studies on climate change and tourism development largely rely on questionnaire data (Hu et al., 2022). In contrast to these studies, this paper uses dynamic panel data, which to some extent overcomes the subjectivity and difficulty of causality identification in questionnaire data, making our research conclusions more accurate and reliable. Second, this study breaks through the linear relationship hypothesis of previous literature regarding climate change and tourism development. By evaluating the nonlinear relationship of climate change to tourism development from the institutional pressure perspective, it more intricately delineates their interplay mechanism, expanding and supplementing the research literature on the relationship mechanism between climate change and tourism development. Thirdly, the conclusions of this study are beneficial for policymakers to better understand and assess the scope of climate change impacts. It also aids relevant departments in clarifying the direction of institutional environment optimization to elevate the level of tourism development when faced with adverse impacts brought about by climate change.

The study focused on rural commodities, climate change and tourism activities for socioeconomic welfare and enhanced productivity within disadvantaged indigenous communities and remote areas. It relates primary and secondary data details on the Musina Municipality’s rural biodiversity, tourism management and integrated pastoral livelihoods, alongside climate change issues locally and abroad.

The study employs focus group discussions and interviews to gather data. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis and central tendencies, along with manual data sorting, provide non-inferential data analysis.

This study discloses a harmful connection between unsustainable integrated rural activities and tourism products and climate change-linked environmental consequences within such environs. Ultimately, the study has highlighted the need for proper biodiversity resource management and an agricultural approach to diminish climate change hazards and permit the indigenous communities of the municipality. Thus, there is a need for awareness and practices in responsible tourism, decent rural ecotourism and agro-tourism for enhanced productivity and sustainability achievements.

Many rural citizens in the world naturally live in low-income areas. Southern Africa and Africa, with specific reference to the Musina Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa, are no exception. Despite the abundance of assorted natural and cultural biodiversity and rural tourism qualities, such regions are nonetheless prone to climate change consequences and the deprivation of socioeconomic sustainability.