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Arid Land Geography ›› 2023, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (12): 2061-2073.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2023.171

• Regional Development • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatiotemporal distribution pattern and influencing factors of A-level tourist attractions in northwestern China

WU Zhixiang(),ZHANG Zhibin(),ZHAO Xuewei,CHEN Long,MA Xiaomin,CHAI Jiao   

  1. College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
  • Received:2023-04-15 Revised:2023-06-01 Online:2023-12-25 Published:2024-01-05

Abstract:

Achieving high-quality tourism development relies on the rational layout of regional tourist attractions, which serves as an inherent requirement and fundamental guarantee. This study delves into the spatial pattern evolution and influencing factors of A-level scenic spots in northwestern China from 2010 to 2020. Using GIS spatial technology, we analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of scenic spots and construct an index system that encompasses social, economic, and environmental aspects. In addition, geographic detectors are employed to elucidate the internal mechanism of spatial pattern evolution and influencing factors. The findings reveal the following: (1) A noticeable imbalance exists in the number of A-level tourist attractions in northwestern China, with an increasing spatial concentration trend along a “northwest-southeast” axis. The central axis is delineated by the “Turpan City-Jiuquan City-Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture-Lanzhou City-Baoji City-Xi’an City” line. The spatial structure of scenic spots undergoes an evolution process from “scattered point” to “group-type patch” and ultimately to an “inverted L-shaped strip”. (2) Five influential factors, namely resident population, per capita GDP, tourism income, traffic mileage, and policy intensity, significantly shape the spatial pattern evolution of A-level tourist attractions. (3) The impact of social factors demonstrates a two-stage pattern of initial decline followed by steady increase, indicating rising influence. Economic factors exhibit periodic ups and downs in their influence, whereas environmental factors, although displaying a tendency to rise, experience a relatively stable range of change.

Key words: A-level tourist attractions, spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, influencing factors, northwestern China