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COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures provide valuable social experimental opportunities for exploring the factors that affect changes in the urban tourism carbon footprint (TCF u). The study uses the carbon emission coefficient and energy consumption coefficient to calculate the TCF u of the transport, accommodation, catering, and recreational activity sectors, taking Xi'an from 2014 to 2020 as a case study. It analyzes the characteristics of the carbon footprint changes and their drivers in each sector. The results show that compared to before the outbreak of the pandemic, in the period afterwards, the TCF u decreased by 60.46%. The carbon footprint of tourism transport decreased the most. Carbon intensity has a significant inhibitory effect on the TCF u growth, and as drivers, the consumption level and population size shifted from promoting to inhibiting the TCF u. It emphasizes the importance of developing low-carbon tourism transportation to reduce the TCF u , providing a scientific basis for promoting the green transformation of urban tourism. [Display omitted] • The TCF u changes before and after the pandemic were analyzed. • Carbon intensity has a restraining effect on the growth of the TCF u. • The tourism transport carbon footprint is the most affected by the pandemic. • The effect of consumption level and population size on the TCF u has shifted. • Emphasize the importance of preventing retaliatory growth on of the TCF u. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]