TOURISM ECONOMICS

Spatial spillover of transport improvement on tourism growth

Tian, Fengjun; Yang, Yang; Jiang, Lan

Abstract

Transport infrastructure plays an important role in moving tourists to and between destinations. In this study, we investigate the spatial spillover effects of transport improvements on regional tourism growth. Using panel data from 337 Chinese prefecture-level regions from 2007 to 2016, we estimate a spatial Durbin model to understand whether enhancements in road, air, railway, and high-speed rail transport stimulated tourism growth in nearby regions. Our empirical models confirm transport spillover. High-speed rail services generated spillover to nearby regions’ domestic and inbound tourism growth. For domestic tourism, road transport and air transport yielded significant spillover, while only air transport generated significant spillover in tourism revenue from inbound tourism. Findings also highlight the limited geographic scope of high-speed rail spillover and the broader scope of air transport spillover. Lastly, relevant implications are discussed.

Keywords

high-speed rail; regional tourism growth; spatial Durbin model; spatial spillover; transport infrastructure

Research topic

Tourist Flows and Location

Research method

Econometrics, Spatial Modeling

Geographic area

China

Additional links for this paper

ResearchGate

Publisher Website

Web of Science

HOW TO CITE

Tian, F., Yang, Y. and Jiang, L. (2022). Spatial spillover of transport improvement on tourism growth. Tourism Economics, 28(5), 1416-1432

Additional Reads

2026

In sync, in satisfaction: Experience congruence effects

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL & TOURISM MARKETING

2026

Unpacking Innovation Incentives in Rural Tourism: A Simulation of Policy Impacts and Regional Heterogeneity

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL RESEARCH

2026

Balancing the clock: How predictive scheduling laws influence employee satisfaction in the U.S. tourism and hospitality industry

TOURISM MANAGEMENT