Researching Tourism Space in China’s Great Bay Area: Spatial Pattern, Driving Forces and Its Coupling with Economy and Population

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I appreciate the opportunity to review the article "Researching tourism space in China’s Great Bay Area: spatial pattern, driving forces and its coupling with economy and population." It is a very interesting article that examines a relevant and current topic. The theme of tourism is analyzed in its territorial dimension, considering spatial asymmetries, the main factors driving its growth, and the effects on the quality of life and local economic dynamics.

The introduction is systematic, scientifically contextualizing the research conducted and clearly identifying three central questions of the research process. The third question should be more substantiated, as the analysis of development or growth areas depends on various factors. The question is posed quite generically.

The methods and materials used are properly presented and justified. The methodology is complex, somewhat innovative in its application to the territorial analysis of tourism dynamics, but entirely suitable for the proposed objectives.

The results are presented in quite detailed form, allowing for a good understanding of the analyzed reality. The use of cartography for understanding territorial dynamics is very interesting. The information presented is innovative and highlights the scientific importance of this type of study.

The discussion and conclusion are interesting, supported by the results presented, but they lack development. The discussion should seek to clearly answer the three research questions, identifying the limitations of the study and the main conclusions in each of the points. The introduction of a general synthesis table can assist in this process.

The conclusion should address policy recommendations. This is because the study presents various data that can support informed decision-making based on innovative territorial knowledge.

The bibliography used is appropriate.

In summary, it is a very interesting article that can be published after considering the suggestions presented, especially in the discussion and conclusion.

Author Response

Dear reviewers:

We are pleased to submit a revised version of the paper “Researching tourism space in China’s Great Bay Area: spatial pattern, driving forces and its coupling with economy and population” to the journal Land. We have carefully revised the paper following reviewers’ suggestions. Moreover, we have also double-checked the grammatic mistakes and further streamlined the expressions. Any changes are marked in red color.

Reviewer one:

I appreciate the opportunity to review the article "Researching tourism space in China’s Great Bay Area: spatial pattern, driving forces and its coupling with economy and population." It is a very interesting article that examines a relevant and current topic. The theme of tourism is analyzed in its territorial dimension, considering spatial asymmetries, the main factors driving its growth, and the effects on the quality of life and local economic dynamics.

The introduction is systematic, scientifically contextualizing the research conducted and clearly identifying three central questions of the research process. The third question should be more substantiated, as the analysis of development or growth areas depends on various factors. The question is posed quite generically.

Thank you for the suggestions. We have revised the third research question to make it more precise in terms of the research relevance.

The methods and materials used are properly presented and justified. The methodology is complex, somewhat innovative in its application to the territorial analysis of tourism dynamics, but entirely suitable for the proposed objectives. The results are presented in quite detailed form, allowing for a good understanding of the analyzed reality. The use of cartography for understanding territorial dynamics is very interesting. The information presented is innovative and highlights the scientific importance of this type of study.

Thanks for the reviewer’s evaluation.

The discussion and conclusion are interesting, supported by the results presented, but they lack development. The discussion should seek to clearly answer the three research questions, identifying the limitations of the study and the main conclusions in each of the points. The introduction of a general synthesis table can assist in this process.

Thanks for the comments. In the revised manuscript, we have strengthened the discussion and conclusion sections by more clearly relating them to the research questions. In particular, we have outlined the limitations of this study in both discussion and conclusion. Moreover, in order to more clearly explain the innovative method that we concluded in this paper, we have added a logic diagram to explain how to identify hotspots for tourism development. Please see Figure 7.

The conclusion should address policy recommendations. This is because the study presents various data that can support informed decision-making based on innovative territorial knowledge.

The bibliography used is appropriate.

Thanks for the comments. We have further strengthened the discussion of policy recommendations in the conclusion section.

In summary, it is a very interesting article that can be published after considering the suggestions presented, especially in the discussion and conclusion.

Reviewer two

This is a very interesting, complex and in-depth research. The authors have made a big effort to carry it out and the methods, results and discussion are detailed and well explained. My only issue is with the conclusion section. I suggest that the authors better highlight the significance of the results and potential limitations.

Thanks for reviewer’s effort spent on reviewing this paper. In the revised version, we have provided a more detail discussion on the significance of the results and their limitations in the conclusion section.

Reviewer 2 Report

This is a very interesting, complex and in-depth research. The authors have made a big effort to carry it out and the methods, results and discussion are detailed and well explained. My only issue is with the conclusion section. I suggest that the authors better highlight the significance of the results and potential limitations.

Author Response

Dear reviewers:

We are pleased to submit a revised version of the paper “Researching tourism space in China’s Great Bay Area: spatial pattern, driving forces and its coupling with economy and population” to the journal Land. We have carefully revised the paper following reviewers’ suggestions. Moreover, we have also double-checked the grammatic mistakes and further streamlined the expressions. Any changes are marked in red color.

Reviewer one:

I appreciate the opportunity to review the article "Researching tourism space in China’s Great Bay Area: spatial pattern, driving forces and its coupling with economy and population." It is a very interesting article that examines a relevant and current topic. The theme of tourism is analyzed in its territorial dimension, considering spatial asymmetries, the main factors driving its growth, and the effects on the quality of life and local economic dynamics.

The introduction is systematic, scientifically contextualizing the research conducted and clearly identifying three central questions of the research process. The third question should be more substantiated, as the analysis of development or growth areas depends on various factors. The question is posed quite generically.

Thank you for the suggestions. We have revised the third research question to make it more precise in terms of the research relevance.

The methods and materials used are properly presented and justified. The methodology is complex, somewhat innovative in its application to the territorial analysis of tourism dynamics, but entirely suitable for the proposed objectives. The results are presented in quite detailed form, allowing for a good understanding of the analyzed reality. The use of cartography for understanding territorial dynamics is very interesting. The information presented is innovative and highlights the scientific importance of this type of study.

Thanks for the reviewer’s evaluation.

The discussion and conclusion are interesting, supported by the results presented, but they lack development. The discussion should seek to clearly answer the three research questions, identifying the limitations of the study and the main conclusions in each of the points. The introduction of a general synthesis table can assist in this process.

Thanks for the comments. In the revised manuscript, we have strengthened the discussion and conclusion sections by more clearly relating them to the research questions. In particular, we have outlined the limitations of this study in both discussion and conclusion. Moreover, in order to more clearly explain the innovative method that we concluded in this paper, we have added a logic diagram to explain how to identify hotspots for tourism development. Please see Figure 7.

The conclusion should address policy recommendations. This is because the study presents various data that can support informed decision-making based on innovative territorial knowledge.

The bibliography used is appropriate.

Thanks for the comments. We have further strengthened the discussion of policy recommendations in the conclusion section.

In summary, it is a very interesting article that can be published after considering the suggestions presented, especially in the discussion and conclusion.

Reviewer two

This is a very interesting, complex and in-depth research. The authors have made a big effort to carry it out and the methods, results and discussion are detailed and well explained. My only issue is with the conclusion section. I suggest that the authors better highlight the significance of the results and potential limitations.

Thanks for reviewer’s effort spent on reviewing this paper. In the revised version, we have provided a more detail discussion on the significance of the results and their limitations in the conclusion section.