The Adaptive Evolution of Cultural Ecosystems along the Silk Road and Cultural Tourism Heritage: A Case Study of 22 Cultural Sites on the Chinese Section of the Silk Road World Heritage
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This study is of importance since it clarifies a less-known area of global tourism. Rich cultural heritage of Central Asia and its valorization via tourism is necessary as this research underlines. Authors have explained geographica, cultural, ecological, environmental assets of the study field. However, their methodology is not clearly given. This is a basic research style, data used is of secondary (desktop) nature. Study follows qualitative case-study design implicitly. Literature reviews are also important in tourism studies especially for early examples.
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
- A more clear steps methodology and better justification of methods is needed. The method employed is not the most suitable.
- In the discussion, the authors not refer to the results obtained by other similar studies.
- Findings need to be clear and make a clear contribution to theory, and fails in deep analysis of results presented.
- There is little interpretation as well as policy and managerial implications.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper is written very extensively and in detail in a way that is comprehensible to all readers. In the paper, the research area is presented in detail with all the necessary information in order to familiarize the readers with the topic.
I would like to make a few suggestions:
- In the entire text, it is necessary to cite literature sources more often (eg lines: 46-48; 64-66; 102-104, 160, 163, etc.). This especially applies to the chapter on the introduction and presentation of the study area. Also, when citing "many scientists", it is mandatory to indicate in parentheses a reference to the literature that confirms this fact (eg lines 191, 158).
- Reformulate the abstract: state first the main objectives of the research and then the conclusions of the research.
- In the introduction, after the abbreviation CES, state the full name in parentheses (line 44). Omit giving examples in the introduction (line 54) to reduce unnecessary theory. Also, in the introduction, state the main purpose of the work and the exact goals that will be understandable to the readers, and that will guide them through the results of the work.
- Subheading 2.2 is more appropriate to be listed as a "literature review" subheading rather than a subheading within materials and methods.
- In the methodology, which documents do you mean in the text when it says "local records of different places" (line 228)?
- Before the title under serial number 3, put the title "results" and then continue the subtitles in the existing order, so that the work is concise for monitoring
- Chapters 3, 4, and 5 should be enriched with literature references.
- In the discussion and conclusions, state the limitations of the study and suggestions for future directions of research.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
This is an excellent paper only in need of some editing for grammar and can be acceoted in its currnt form subject to this.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Publish in present form.
