Spatial–Temporal Correlation between the Tourist Hotel Industry and Town Spatial Morphology: The Case of Phoenix Ancient Town, China

Abstract

Despite the recognition of the correlation between the tourism industry and a town’s spatial morphology, there is a dearth of rigorous empirical specifications to examine it. This study uses geographic information system (GIS) tools and space syntax analysis to explore whether the tourist hotel industry and a town’s spatial morphology are consistent or if they have different spatial distributions. From a sample of Phoenix Ancient Town, China, our analysis shows the following results: First, there is a spatial correlation between the tourist hotel industry and urban spatial morphology, which is significantly related to tourist attraction distribution and traffic accessibility. Second, the spatial evolution of the tourist hotel industry and a town’s spatial morphology shows different characteristics in different periods. Third, the impact of the tourist hotel industry on a town’s spatial morphology is gradually decreasing as new business buildings arise. The analysis is theoretically important as it enriches the methodologies for analyzing the correlation between the tourist hotel industry and a town’s spatial morphology. It is important for government planners as it provides useful information for formulating territorial spatial planning.