Analyzing the Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Network Structure of Ecotourism Flow in Zhangjiajie

Ecotourism flow in Zhangjiajie, including the UNESCO-listed Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, exhibits a distinct 'core-edge' polygonal distribution with high traffic accessibility but low coordination. The study, using travel journal data from popular tourism websites, analyzed spatio-temporal patterns and network structures through standard deviation ellipse, social network analysis, kernel density estimation, and spatial coupling models. It found that while ecotourism flow is concentrated in Wulingyuan–Tianmen Mountain–Huanglongdong, longer stays correlate with increased connection intensity to other scenic spots, though radiation remains limited. A significant mismatch exists between tourism flow and traffic accessibility, indicating potential for improved coordination in sustainable ecotourism planning.

Liu, X., Xu, M., & Zhou, H. (2022). Analyzing the Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Network Structure of Ecotourism Flow in Zhangjiajie. Sustainability, 14(5), 2496. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052496