Evaluating the development level of cultural tourism industry in Hunan Province using dynamic network DEA-Malmquist model.

This article evaluates the development level of the cultural and tourism industry in Hunan Province, China, using a dynamic network Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) combined with the Malmquist index to assess both static efficiency and dynamic changes from 2012 to 2021. The findings indicate that while the overall development trend is positive with a relatively high efficiency level, significant regional disparities exist, and the innovation stage shows lower efficiency compared to the mature stage. The Malmquist index analysis reveals that technical progress is the main driver of growth, although improvements in technical efficiency, particularly pure technical efficiency, remain necessary. The study suggests enhancing tourism consumption demand monitoring, increasing financial investment in public services, and focusing on technological innovation to promote high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industry in Hunan Province.