Spatial distribution and influencing factors of high-quality tourist attractions in Shandong Province, China

Exploring the spatial patterns and influencing factors of rural tourism development in Hainan Province of China

Hainan Province is a major domestic tourism destination in China, with rural tourism playing a key role in its development. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of 154 rural tourism sites across Hainan, examining regional balance, hotspots, and influencing factors such as transportation infrastructure, economic conditions, and A-level tourist attractions. Results show a clear spatial clustering of sites, with a strong concentration in the east and more dispersed patterns in the west. Economic growth and tourism sector development are identified as key factors influencing the "coconut-level" ratings. The study offers policy recommendations to promote sustainable rural tourism, including leveraging regional advantages, enhancing transportation connectivity, and improving tourism services and infrastructure. It also calls for investment in grassroots tourism projects and strengthening regional complementarity to foster balanced and equitable growth. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and tourism planners seeking to integrate rural tourism into broader sustainable development strategies.

Spatiotemporal differentiation and driving mechanisms of high-level Grade A tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta City Cluster

Herein, the spatial evolution characteristics of high-level Grade A tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration, from 2001 to 2021, are studied by comprehensively applying the nearest neighbor index, kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse, and spatial autocorrelation. High-level Grade A tourist attractions are investigated using the random forest model as the driving mechanism of the spatial pattern. Results show that 1) the spatial distribution of high-level Class A tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster has grown to be an agglomeration, and the high-density areas have evolved from "point-like dispersion to regiment-like combination," gradually forming a B-shaped core density structure. 2) The spatial distribution comprises an overall "northwest-southeast" direction, a small counterclockwise rotation, the distribution of the center of gravity to the southwest migration, and the center of gravity from the territory of Suzhou City to the territory of Huzhou City. 3) The high-level Class A tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster as a whole show a strong positive spatial correlation, and the significantly clustered areas include three types: high-high (H-H), low-low (L-L), and low-high (L-H). 4) The spatial distribution of high, A-level tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster results from the combined action of the natural environment, resource endowment, socioeconomy, and policy background. Each element has a nonlinear and complex influence on the distribution of scenic spots.

Spatio-temporal distribution and evolution of the Tujia traditional settlements in China

The rapid modernization in China has aggravated the reduction of the traditional settlements and aroused concern about the protection and research. This study aims to examine the spatial-temporal variations Tujia traditional settlements in China and to delineate the driving mechanism of the settlement distribution. Previous studies have focused on the characteristics of settlements in provincial or smaller areas, providing lacked information regarding spatial distribution heterogeneity of Tujia traditional settlements in China. In this study, the spatial heterogeneity and influence factors of the distribution of traditional Tujia settlements were examined using the GIS platform and statistical methods. The results reveal that the spatial distribution of settlements exhibits clustering with the pattern of "scattered distribution in a large region, while concentrated in small areas". The settlements were generally built in low hills, gentle slopes, sunny slopes and low-relief terrain areas, with elevation, relief degree of land surface (RDLS), slope and aspect were the key factors affecting the distribution. In Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, settlements showed significant clustering all through, though the location and number of clustering center kept changing. In this process, the history of the Tujia chieftain and the transportation and marketing lines of Sichuan salt had a profound influence on the historical evolution of the settlement.