TOURISM SCIENCE ›› 2026, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (4): 21-36.

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Spatio-Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Domestic Travel Itinerary Network in the Yangtze River Delta

ZHU Ming1,2, SHI Chunyun3, GAO Feng2,*, CAO Shan1   

  1. 1. Applied Technology College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215325, China;
    2. School of Social Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China;
    3. School of Geography, Geomatics & Planning, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
  • Received:2023-11-16 Revised:2026-04-25 Online:2026-04-30 Published:2026-07-10

Abstract: Optimizing travel itinerary is the key part in promoting high-quality development of domestic tourism. However, it is important to be clear about domestic travel itineraries network. Based on the Yangtze River Delta in 2010, 2016 and 2022, this study used social network analysis to explore the characteristics of domestic travel itinerary network in the Yangtze River delta, and searched the spatiotemporal evolution influencing factors of domestic travel itinerary by quadratic assignment procedure. The results show that: (1) the travel itinerary network in the Yangtze River delta is unbalanced. High frequency travel itinerary is mainly on '5+1' core area. The network is presented with the characteristics of 'concentrate-equilibrium-concentration', the itinerary connection is more close and stable in core area than others. (2) Absolutely leader did not appear on Travel itinerary network in the Yangtze River. It can divide into 4 types (Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ) by power index and network control capability in destination node. The 'Ⅰ type node' is the mainly collection and distribution hub plays a leading role in network pattern. (3) There is remarkable difference under various years, the itinerary connection tends to form the same kind of node. Distance and administrative boundary are the major constrains of travel itinerary network in the Yangtze River. Future efforts should aim to realize more and more equalization and flattening in promoting high-quality development of domestic tourism.

Key words: domestic tourism, travel itinerary network, spatio-temporal evolution, influencing factors, social network analysis, the Yangtze River Delta

CLC Number: 

  • F592

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