Configurations of Market-Oriented Tourism Ecological Compensation: A csQCA Approach

This paper explores the antecedent configurations leading to high or non-high marketization of tourism eco-compensation mechanisms. A configurational model was established to precisely understand the causal complex mechanism of institutional factors that drive tourism ecological compensation marketization. The clear set of qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) with multivariate interactions was applied. Five configurations were identified for the high marketization level and two for the non-high marketization level. The results confirmed that determining natural resource property rights is the premise of the marketized mechanism. It is only on this basis that the value of eco-products can be achieved and that eco-incentives play an effective role. Moreover, government regulation is the fundamental guarantee in the multi-game process. This configurational-based model reveals the causal asymmetry mechanism between a high marketization level and two configurations for a non-high marketization level. This paper suggests that a favorable combination of the government’s role as a supporter and ecological incentives is the main driving force to enhance the marketability of tourism eco-compensation mechanisms.