Research On The Diffusion Effects Of Tourism Growth Pole

In recent years,the Growth Pole Theory has been widely used to guide the practice of tourism development in China.As a result,to promote the development of regional economy and society by creating a tourism growth pole(TGP)has become a strategic choice for those underdeveloped areas with good resource endowment.However,the research on TGPs and their diffusion effects is still lagging behind,which makes it difficult to provide scientific and effective guidance for tourism development practice.For this reason,taking Lijiang,Yunnan Province as a case study,this dissertation makes an effort to study on the diffusion effects of TGPs through comprehensive use of quantitative analysis,spatial analysis,comparative analysis and other methods.The main research process and conclusions are as follows:First,the basic theory of TGPs is constructed.Based on the previous research findings and the characteristics of tourism industry,the concept of TGPs can be defined as a propulsive unit which plays a leading role in the development of regional tourism and even the whole regional economy.In fact,this concept includes two meanings:industrial meaning and geospatial meaning,i.e.,propulsive tourism economic unit and propulsive tourism spatial unit.On this basis,the characteristics and types,formation and processes,selection and cultivation,and polarization and diffusion effects of TGPs are analyzed.Second,the connotation of the diffusion effects of TGPs is discussed.First of all,the diffusion effects of TGPs refer to the radiation and diffusion of tourism economic development from a TGP to related industries or surrounding areas,which promotes the joint development of related industries or surrounding areas,and ultimately promotes the convergence of the gap between the TGP and related industries or surrounding areas.This concept can be further understood and grasped from the source,elements,intensity,mode,media,direction and result of diffusion.Secondly,the diffusion effects of TGPs are manifested in two basic modes: functional diffusion and spatial diffusion.There are obvious differences between them,but at the same time they are closely related.Thirdly,the diffusion effects of TGPs have three characteristics:(1)difference and unitybetween functional diffusion and spatial diffusion;(2)dynamics and non-linearity in terms of time;and(3)proximity,gradualness and skip in terms of space.Third,the formation mechanism and evolution of the diffusion effects of TGPs are analyzed.The formation mechanism and evolution of functional diffusion and spatial diffusion of TGPs are analyzed respectively,and the following basic conclusions are drawn: Firstly,they have different formation mechanisms.In terms of functional diffusion,taking a leading scenic spot as an example,the TGP mainly relies on the side correlation effect and backward correlation effect to achieve functional diffusion under the combined action of inner engine,external pull force and boost force.Its formation paths can be divided into three types: spontaneous path,guided path and mixed path.In terms of spatial diffusion,under the combined action of centripetal force,centrifugal force and driving force,the TGP realizes its spatial diffusion mainly through the diffusion of production factors and tourist flows,which can be shown in three growth modes,namely,contact diffusion,point-axis diffusion and hierarchical diffusion.Secondly,their evolutionary processes are also different in that the evolution of functional diffusion can be divided into two stages(unidirectional diffusion and bidirectional diffusion),while the evolution of spatial diffusion can be divided into three stages: point diffusion,radiation diffusion and network diffusion.Fourth,the functional diffusion effect and spatial diffusion effect of TGPs are measured.Taking Lijiang,Yunnan Province as a case study,the dissertation measures the functional diffusion effect and spatial diffusion effect of Lijiang TGP,and draws the following conclusions: Lijiang TGP shows obvious characteristics of significant functional diffusion effect but insufficient spatial diffusion effect on the whole.Firstly,the dissertation measures the functional diffusion effect of Lijiang TGP by using Grey Relational Analysis,and finds that there are obvious industrial correlations between Lijiang TGP and the Three Industries in Gucheng District and Yulong County,with ranking from high to low by tertiary industry,secondary industry and primary industry.Further estimation shows that 12 sectors except for 2 from the Three Industries in Gucheng District and Yulong County have strong industrial relationships with LijiangTGP.Secondly,the dissertation measures the spatial diffusion intensity of Lijiang TGP by using Coefficient of Variation and Herfindahl Index.The results show that the spatial diffusion effect of Lijiang TGP is relatively weak,while the spatial polarization effect is relatively strong and is still increasing in recent years.On this basis,the dissertation makes a quantitative analysis of the spatial diffusion capacity of Lijiang TGP by using Urban Breakpoint Model.The conclusion is that the spatial diffusion capacity of Lijiang TGP is increasing in recent years,with radiation scope being able to reach some areas of Dali,Diqing,Nujiang and Liangshan prefectures.However,some areas within the jurisdiction of Lijiang City are not in the scope of diffusion,especially Yongsheng County and Huaping County.This shows that the spatial diffusion capacity of Lijiang TGP in the jurisdiction area needs to be improved.Fifth,policy suggestions to strengthen the diffusion effect of TGPs are put forward.Based on the measurement and analysis of the diffusion effects of Lijiang TGP,some policy suggestions can be drawn:(1)Enhance the diffusion engine of Lijiang TGP by cultivating market players,strengthening tourism product innovation,optimizing tourism routes,etc;(2)Build a good diffusion environment of Lijiang TGP through tourism planning,infrastructure construction,and publicity and promotion activities;(3)Create diffusion relay of Lijiang TGP by cultivating new TGPs and constructing a complete growth pole system;and(4)Construct a diffusion network of Lijiang TGP by vigorously promoting regional tourism cooperation.