SCIENTIA GEOGRAPHICA SINICA ›› 2021, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 13-21.doi: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.2021.01.002

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Effects of Multiple Distances on Inbound and Outbound Tourism Flows in China: A Configuration-based Perspective

Zhang Ziang1(), Bao Jigang2,3,*()   

  1. 1. School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China
    2. School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China
    3. Center for Tourism Planning and Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China
  • Received:2020-09-08 Revised:2020-12-17 Online:2021-01-10 Published:2021-03-04
  • Contact: Bao Jigang E-mail:2_zhangziangdid@126.com;eesbjg@mail.sysu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(41920104002)

Abstract:

Tourist flows is one of the current issues in the field of tourism geography that should be urgently addressed. There is a sharp contrast between the rapid growth of China’s outbound tourism flow and the steady growth of inbound tourism flow. It is of great theoretical value and practical significance to understand the mutural tourist flows from and to China. Based on the multiple distances perspectives, this research draws upon the international trade field distance theory framework which includes economical distance, geographical distance, cultural distance and institution distance (CAGE), and the research method is Qualititive Comparative Analysis (QCA) method, which is very useful in exploring the path and mechanism of China’s high and low inbound and outbound tourism flows. In so doing, the structural characteristics, differences, evolution rules and influencing mechanisms of China’s inbound and outbound tourism at different levels can be analysed. The research results are as follows: 1) the influence of distance, as an influential factor is relatively certain. 2) Particularly, it influences China outbound tourism in a similar way that it affects the inbound tourism development. 3) When comparing China’s high international tourism flow and China’s low international tourism flow, distance has different effects on them. Among them, economic distance is the core condition of high international tourism flow. Geographical distance, cultural distance and institutional distance are the core conditions of low international tourism flow.

Key words: China’s inbound and outbound tourism flows, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), economical distance, geographical distance, cultural distanc, institution distance, framework with economical distance, geographical distance, cultural distance and institution distance (CAGE)

CLC Number: 

  • F590