The rapid development of the digital economy (DE) provides a new driving force for high-quality tourism development (HQTD). How to coordinate HQTD and DE is an urgent issue to be resolved. In this study, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between HQTD and DE in Chinese prefecture-level cities is analysed using the CCD model, and the factors driving CCD are identified by Shapley additive explanations (SHAP). The results show that (1) Chinese city-level HQTD and DE show a rising trend from 2010 to 2019. The national average rises from 0.1807 and 0.2434 in 2010 to 0.2318 and 0.4113 in 2019, respectively, with HQTD’s development lagging noticeably behind DE. (2) CCD exhibits marked inter-regional disparities and intra-regional clustering. The northwest region has the lowest values, with many cities’ CCD below 0.5, indicating an imbalanced status. In 2019, all cities in the eastern region are in a balanced status, with Shanghai exceeding 0.8. (3) Total social retail sales per capita and percentage of tertiary sector are the key drivers of CCD; economic development and urbanisation rate exhibit a non-linear relationship with CCD. The CCD in developed cities in the east and north is driven by consumption, whereas the northwest region is primarily influenced by factors related to labour capital. Based on these conclusions, some policy implications are provided for the synergistic development of HQTD and DE.

Green and low-carbon industrial policies serve as a key guideline for China’s pursuit of its dual-carbon goals. Green and low-carbon industrial policies, therefore, play a crucial role in advancing green technology and fostering the sustainable transformation of traditional industries. This study examines the Chengdu–Chongqing economic circle as a case study, employing a machine learning model and the policy modelling consistency index to assess the intrinsic value, evolutionary characteristics, and policy effectiveness of green and low-carbon industrial policies within the region. Findings reveal the following: (1) Three categories of policy objectives and eight types of policy instruments were identified; (2) Although the number of policy objectives is similar, both Chengdu and Chongqing primarily rely on demand-side policy instruments; (3) Over the three developmental stages of green and low-carbon industrial policy, policy priorities have slowly shifted from theoretical guidance to implementation control; (4) Although the policy effectiveness in Chengdu is slightly lower than in Chongqing, it exhibits greater stability. Enhancing policy level could substantially improve effectiveness; (5) Notably, whilst demand-side instruments are the most frequently employed in the Chengdu–Chongqing economic circle, our analysis of three policy centres indicates a reliance on both supply-side and environmental instruments, a pattern that may be influenced by China’s unique policy landscape. This study not only provides policy recommendations for policymakers but also expands the field of industrial policy evaluation in the carbon-neutral era.