As a new branch of which combines ecology and tourism, tourism ecology pays close attention to the ecological environment problems caused by tourism, guides tourism ecosystem management by the ecological principles, and provides a theoretical support for the sustainable development of tourism. Combining quantitative analysis by the software CiteSpace5.3 with literature reading, it is found that the number of publications on tourism ecology in web of science has increased rapidly after entering the 21st century. The papers came mainly from the North America and Europe and applied research methodologies of different disciplines and up-to-date scientific and technological achievements. The research content consisted of three parts: the eco-environmental impact of tourism, tourism ecosystem management, and measure and realization of tourism sustainable development. Based on the analysis of international progress, we put forward that the research of tourism ecology in China should be strengthened in the aspects of basic theory, the evolution law of tourism impact, tourism ecological restoration, environment impact of tourism development, impact of ecological environment change on tourism, and local tourism ecosystem management methods.