Search Results (47)

Amid ongoing societal development, tourists’ travel behavior patterns have been undergoing substantial transformations, and understanding their evolution has emerged as a key area of scholarly interest. Taking Beijing as a case study, this research aims to uncover the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of tourist flows and their underlying driving mechanisms. Based on digital footprint relational data, a dual-perspective analytical framework—“tourist perception–tourist flow network”—is constructed. By integrating the center-of-gravity model, social network analysis, and regression models, the study systematically examines the dynamic spatial structure of tourist flows in Beijing from 2012 to 2024. The findings reveal that in the post-pandemic period, Beijing tourists place greater emphasis on the cultural connotation and experiential aspects of destinations. The gravitational center of tourist flows remains relatively stable, with core historical and cultural blocks retaining strong appeal, though a slight shift has occurred due to policy influences and emerging attractions. The evolution of the spatial network structure reveals that tourism flows have become more dispersed, while the influence of core scenic spots continues to intensify. Government policy orientation, tourism information retrieval, and the agglomeration of tourism resources significantly promote the structure of tourist flows, whereas the general level of tourism resources exerts no notable influence. These findings offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for the sustainable development and regional coordination of tourism in Beijing, and provide a valuable reference for the spatial restructuring of urban tourism in the post-COVID-19 era. Full article

Amid global rural tourism growth and rural revitalization policies, traditional villages’ resource protection and tourism development have drawn international academic attention. To guide villages’ resource planning and management, this study constructed an evaluation index system of cultural, ecological, industrial, talent, and organizational amenities in traditional villages from the perspective of tourists’ perceptions using grounded theory and measured the spatial agglomeration differences, synergistic effects and their influencing factors of traditional village amenities by using location entropy, spatial autocorrelation, and gray correlation degree analysis. The results show that (1) the spatial distributions of cultural, ecological, industrial, and organizational amenities are more balanced, while talent amenities exhibit a more concentrated distribution. (2) The spatial concentration of amenities in traditional villages has a strong positive spatial correlation, the agglomeration level of the high-high type of concentration is distributed in clusters, the low–low type tends to be contiguous, and the low–high type is distributed sporadically around the high–high type; significant synergy between ecological and industrial amenities, and organizations play a supportive role in the spatial agglomeration of cultural, ecological, ecological and talent amenities. (3) Gross regional product, slope, and distance to 3A and above scenic spots significantly influence the spatial agglomeration of amenities. This study provides reference for the sustainable development of traditional villages from the perspectives of exerting agglomeration and radiation effects, synergistically promoting villages’ development, constructing the memory symbol system, and integrating the resource structural system based on the spatial agglomeration difference characteristics of traditional village amenities. Full article

In the post-pandemic era, tourism is recovering and historical and cultural scenic spots are highly favored but face serious homogenization and fierce competition. It is clear to both the industry and in academia that brand image building through social media is the key to relieving the situation; however, existing studies are mostly undertaken from the perspective of branding, often ignoring the use of brand equity theory in evaluating the brand image of such scenic spots. Based on the social media perspective, this study proposes and validates a set of brand image assessment frameworks for historical and cultural scenic spots centered on brand awareness, satisfaction, and reputation, which provides a scientific basis for scenic spot branding. The study constructs a multidimensional index system, utilizes the fuzzy optimal inferiority method and the TOPSIS hybrid evaluation model, and takes six historical and cultural scenic spots in Xi’an, China, as samples for quantitative and qualitative evaluation. By analyzing the rankings of these scenic spots, this study provides suggestions on how to publicize and shape brand images on social media platforms. These suggestions can enhance scenic spots’ competitiveness, leading to increased tourist flow, improved economic benefits, and enhanced cultural preservation efforts. This, in turn, contributes to the long-term, sustainable development of historical tourism destinations, addressing socio-economic and cultural challenges in a more targeted manner. Full article

Tourism has been a key factor in the economic growth of metropolitan suburbs. However, tourism development (TD) frequently precipitates ecological challenges, which are compounded by the absence of scientific frameworks for quantifying TD’s impact on suburban ecological environment quality (EEQ). We focused on assessing the spatiotemporal evolution of the EEQ of the primary scenic spots in Huangpi District, a suburb of Wuhan City, using a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) model. We analyzed the impact of TD on the EEQ from 2000 to 2023 by employing independent sample t-tests, response coefficients, and the four-quadrant model. The findings indicate that the EEQ in Huangpi District from 2000 to 2023 presented the spatial distribution of “a lower EEQ in the south and a higher EEQ in the north”, first decreasing and then improving. The EEQ of the district’s scenic spots is higher than that of the entire district, and the overall trend in its variation is consistent with that for the district. TD’s impact on the EEQ in Huangpi District differs in terms of its direction and magnitude based on stage-specific characteristics, whereas for scenic spots, this difference is dependent on the grade and type of spot. We constructed a logical framework encompassing the “magnitude of difference–response characteristics–coordination status”, revealing the dynamic correlation mechanism between TD and EEQ and offering insights into balancing TD and protection of the ecological environmental, thereby facilitating the sustainable development of Huangpi District. Full article

Investing in urban scenic spots is a complex process that requires careful consideration of multiple criteria to ensure sustainability and efficiency. In the post-pandemic era, the uncertainty of future trends necessitates effective risk management and informed investment decisions. Revitalizing urban scenic spots while maintaining profitability, along with the construction of multi-purpose activity centers, requires a thorough evaluation of construction companies. This study addresses the selection of the most suitable contractor for constructing multi-purpose activity chain centers as a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) problem. We address the intricacies of contractor selection by integrating MCDM and system thinking approaches, emphasizing the alignment of investment strategies with broader urban development goals. First, a time delay was introduced between the first and second rounds of administering the weighting questionnaire to capture decision-makers’ preferences for the evaluation criteria as System-2 thinking, then the Grey System-2 Thinking (GS2T) weighting method was proposed for group decision-making. Second, the Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to Ideal Solution (CRADIS) method was incorporated into the Grey Systems Theory (GST), resulting in the development of the Grey-CRADIS method, which was applied to rank seven contractors for constructing activity centers across four urban scenic spots. Using the proposed GS2T with the developed Grey-CRADIS method in conjunction with the decision-makers’ preferences, Company-2 was found to be the best contractor for the construction project. Finally, classical MCDM methods such as theWeighted Sum Model (WSM) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) were employed to confirm the top-ranking contractor. Full article

This study explores the intricate relationship between urban amenities and the transformation of urban green spaces (UGS) in Guangzhou, China, over the decade from 2013 to 2022. Amid rapid urbanization, maintaining and expanding green spaces has become increasingly challenging, especially in densely populated urban centers. This research utilizes remote sensing data and Point of Interest (POI) data to assess how different types of urban amenities influence UGS dynamics based on geospatial analytics. The study focuses on the central districts of Guangzhou, a city facing significant urban development pressures, to provide a nuanced understanding of these interactions. Employing both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and Random Forest (RF) models, the analysis examines the impact of 23 categories of POIs on the spatial and temporal changes in UGS. Key findings reveal that amenities such as auto repair shops, shopping services, and transit facilities are negatively correlated with UGS, indicating that their presence may contribute to the reduction in green space. Conversely, amenities like scenic spots and life services show a positive correlation, suggesting they might support the preservation or expansion of green spaces. The results underscore the dual role of urban amenities in both supporting and constraining green space development, highlighting the need for carefully balanced urban planning strategies. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners aiming to promote sustainable urban growth while preserving essential green spaces, ensuring that urban environments remain livable and ecologically resilient. Full article

The pro-environmental behavior of tourists is an important guarantee for the sustainable development of ecotourism scenic spots. This article is based on 806 tourist survey data from two ecotourism scenic spots, making use of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the structural equation model (SEM) to explore the impact of tourist experience quality on tourists’ pro-environmental behavior. The research findings indicate that (1) the quality of the tourist experience is an important factor affecting the formation of place attachment; (2) the quality of tourism experience directly and positively affects place dependence, and indirectly affects place identity through the mediating factor of place dependence; and (3) the direct impact of tourist experience quality on tourists’ pro-environmental behavior is significant, with place attachment playing a mediating role. This article provides inspiration for scenic spots to encourage tourists to engage in pro-environmental behavior. In the process of stimulating tourists to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, ecotourism scenic spots should pay more attention to the tourist experiences and emotional experiences. Scenic spots should make more efforts to improve the quality of the tourist experience, so that tourists can develop a sense of dependence on ecotourism scenic spots, gradually form self-identification with the scenic spots, and engage in environmentally friendly behavior, helping to achieve the sustainable development of ecotourism scenic spots. Full article

China’s tourism industry has rapidly grown over the past two decades, significantly contributing to the national economy but also increasing carbon emissions. This has raised concerns about environmental sustainability, especially given China’s commitments to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This study analyzes the changes in carbon emissions, carbon carrying capacity, and the Tourism Carbon Pressure Index (TCPI) of China’s tourism industry from 2000 to 2022, aiming to support the green transition of the sector. Examining data from 31 provinces, we observed a significant growth trend in carbon emissions, with a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, followed by a rebound in 2021 and 2022. The findings reveal that carbon emissions and carrying capacity are relatively stable in the eastern regions, but more pronounced in central and western regions, particularly the west. The TCPI is higher in the east, indicating greater environmental pressure, while it is rapidly increasing in central and western regions. To achieve sustainable tourism development, we propose promoting green transportation, eco-friendly hotels, and green scenic spots, improving resource utilization efficiency, enhancing policy support and technological innovation, and adopting regional development strategies. These measures will help reduce tourism-related carbon emissions and contribute to national carbon neutrality goals. This study provides a comprehensive analysis and actionable insights to guide the sustainable transformation of China’s tourism industry. Full article

Exploring urban spatial structures through spatial coupling analysis methods is an important method to provide theoretical support for the construction of sustainable urban structures. In order to make up for the neglect of POI species differences in previous studies, information entropy was introduced to calculate POI confusion, and a comprehensive POI index was constructed by combining kernel density and the entropy weight method; impervious surface coverage was extracted based on land cover data. The spatial distribution of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration and some typical cities was analyzed by coupling two types of data using the dual-factor mapping method. The research indicates the following: (1). The spatial distribution of the two sets of data in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region is highly consistent, indicating a state of high spatial coupling; Beijing has the highest proportion of coupling in the same region at the city level (73.39%). (2). The areas with different coupling of the two types of data are mainly distributed in the urban fringe areas transitioning from the city center to the suburbs, as well as in large-scale areas with single functionality such as airports, scenic spots, and ports. This study shows that analysis combining the POI comprehensive index and impervious surface coverage can effectively characterize urban spatial structure characteristics, providing a new perspective for the study of the spatial structure of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration. It is of great significance for a deeper understanding of the laws of urban agglomeration spatial structures and guiding the coordinated development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration. Full article

The tourism market for traditional villages in China is expanding, with the Huizhou region being particularly prominent. Traditional villages offer rich tourism resources. To ensure sustainable tourism development in the Huizhou region, this text explores the issues of tourism responsiveness and the sustainability impacts on the human environment in the development of traditional villages. The entropy weight-TOPSIS method is used to analyze the evaluation index system of the tourism response in Huizhou. Based on the three criteria of village resource endowment conditions, local economic development environment, and regional tourism development environment, a set of twenty indicators has been selected to establish an evaluation system for the tourism responsiveness of traditional villages in Huizhou. Feasible suggestions have been proposed to address the existing problems and the results of the data analysis in order to further improve tourism responsiveness. This study offers fundamental research for the sustainable development of traditional villages in Huizhou and the enhancement of tourism services in these areas. The results of this study show the following. (1) The highest weighting coefficient of the guideline layer of the garden green area affects the development of village tourism. (2) The high density of cultural heritage in traditional villages is conducive to the improvement of the service level and quality of the traditional village tourism, which will make the traditional villages more culturally connotative. (3) By studying the proportion of the tertiary industry in the GDP of the Huizhou region and its trend of change, it is possible to assess and study whether the tertiary industry’s development is in line with the law of industrial structure evolution. This also helps us to optimize and adjust the important impact of the tourism industry structure in the Huizhou area. (4) The tourism reception can be based on the data concerning passenger flow and scenic spots to plan the number of tourists and excursion routes, as well as optimize the service facilities, in order to alleviate the overcrowding situation, improve the experience of the tourists and satisfy the needs of the tourists. Full article

The rapid development of cities has led to increasingly problems in the road network structure of urban streets. Combining emerging big data technology with traditional street network analysis methods has become a new way to tackle it. Guilin is a famous international tourist city, and the “Two Rivers and Four Lakes” scenic area is an iconic symbol of Guilin’s scenery. Its streets connect various tourist spots. This study focused on the street’s layout of the “Two Rivers and Four Lakes” scenic area, and used a combination of spatial syntax and POI big data to analyse their spatial structure. The research results indicated that: (1) there was a positive correlation between the global integration value of the street and the POI value; (2) by combining functional density indicators with global integration analysis, streets that significantly deviate from the overall trend can be identified, and classified according to their characteristics to reveal the reasons for their contradictions; (3) we needed to propose three plans for optimizing the proportion of high street, enhancing street functions, and “improving street space” for different types of streets to ultimately realize the purpose of sustainable development of streets and cities. Full article

With accelerating urbanization, Mount Tai is increasingly at risk of homogenization with other scenic spots, losing its landscape aesthetic characteristics as ‘the Most Revered of the Five Sacred Mountains’, which poses a growing threat to the long-term sustainable development of Mount Tai. Accordingly, this study takes texts written by different social groups as the research material and analyses the aesthetic themes and spatial distribution of the elements in the texts to determine the aesthetic characteristics of the Mount Tai landscape from multiple perspectives and long time series. This study complements the research on the Mount Tai landscape, which focuses on specific research material and time. The results of the study can help to raise awareness of the complexity and multiple values of Mount Tai landscapes and have implications for research and practice of other heritage landscapes. Full article

Leisure agriculture is a crucial carrier for city agriculture and tourism growth. This study aims to explore the overall leisure agriculture and different types of leisure agriculture spatial sub-characteristics and their influencing factors. Taking the city of Xi’an, China, as an example, leisure agriculture was classified into four types: agritainments, agricultural parks, resorts, and rural homestays. According to this study, two ring zones and one core belt zone for leisure agriculture in Xi’an are dispersed unevenly and aggregated. Furthermore, geographic detectors and spatial principal components were employed as empirical techniques to investigate the primary factors influencing the spatial distribution of multiple leisure agriculture heterogeneity. The results about the influence mechanism indicate that the gross domestic product, population density, and accessibility to transportation dominated the overall spatial distribution, while the distance to scenic spots and water areas had a significant impact on the spatial distribution of some types. This research contributes to the reconstruction of leisure agriculture and promotes the sustainable development of agriculture and recreation by merging leisure agriculture spatial resources. Full article

This paper presents a holistic guiding methodology for the development of a geospatial tool to be used for the documentation, planning, smart management and dissemination of a country’s network of historic hiking trails. To deal with the challenges and to ensure the sustainability of a historic site, geospatial documentation merging authoritative and crowdsourced data and a WebGIS-based spatial analysis is necessary. Geospatial data collection should include professional field surveys, professional and crowdsourced photographic documentation and video recording of the existing historic walking/hiking trails. A geodatabase, structured using relational model technology, including vector spatial entities (feature classes), mosaics (raster) and tabulated data (geodatabase tables), should be developed on a commercial or open platform; in this case, the ArcGIS Pro is used. Entities with embedded descriptive information and metadata for the technical, legal, historical, and administrative context may then be created. An object-oriented data model is needed to connect spatial and descriptive information. Spatial and descriptive queries or correlations between attribute fields of spatial entities must be enabled for specialized information retrieval by either experts or users. Next, a web GIS application to present the developed geodatabase in a visually appealing and informative way is created. It should integrate 2D maps with built-in tools and should support advanced functionalities, such as: (i) pop-ups that display brief information and images about specific spots along the trails; (ii) dynamic visualization of the vertical profile of each trail; (iii) multimedia information about landmarks, natural features and scenic viewpoints. Finally, the tool includes a feedback service and continuous efficiency monitoring and assessment, and enables adjustments, if and where needed. The tool is tested and used for 10 historical walking/hiking trails of the archaeological and Holy Site of Meteora, Central Greece. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The network, with a total length of 35 km, leads to six monasteries, still active since the 12th century, passing by gigantic rocks and beautiful natural landscapes. The site is famous globally and the greater area is continuously overcrowded with visitors. The tool is anticipated to be used for the documentation and management of the whole walking/hiking historic trail network of Greece in the future. Full article

Rainfall is the main factor inducing landslides. Clarifying rainfall-induced landslides’ mechanisms and establishing adequate warning and prevention measures are crucial for regional disaster prevention and sustainable development. The weathering degree of fully weathered granite slopes is high, and the engineering mechanics property is poor, so it is easy to lose stability under extreme rainfall conditions. In this paper, the Fanling fully weathered granite landslide in Laoshan Scenic Spot in eastern China is taken as the research object, and the fluid–solid coupling landslide numerical model is established using ABAQUS 2022. The numerical simulation is carried out under five different rainfall intensity and time conditions, and the seepage field response, deformation response, and stability of the slope are analyzed. The research results indicate that (1) the fully weathered granite landslide in Fanling is a thrust-type landslide, and the response of horizontal deformation is greater than that of vertical deformation. (2) Compared with a long-term small rainstorm, a short-term heavy rainstorm is more harmful, and the slope is more prone to instability and damage. (3) The established unstable and under-stable rainfall warning curves for fully weathered granite landslides can provide a reference for the warning and prevention of similar regional landslides. Full article