Geospatial analysis of sports tourism resources in China's urban clusters: a case study of the Sichuan-Chongqing region utilizing GIS and the geographic detector

Front Sports Act Living. 2024 Dec 9:6:1496469. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1496469. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to elucidate the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of sports tourism resources within the Sichuan-Chongqing Urban Agglomeration, examining how these distributions reflect the developmental pathways of urban regions. The theoretical framework posits that the availability and allocation of sports tourism resources are influenced by various geographical and socio-economic factors, with topography, economic conditions, and population density playing pivotal roles in determining their distribution and development.

Methods: Utilizing GeoDetector technology alongside indices such as the Geographic Concentration Index and the Disparities Index, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of sports tourism resources, revealing that the distribution of these resources serves as a key indicator of urban development speed.

Results: Our findings indicate that topographical features significantly influence sports tourism resource development differently in Chengdu compared to Chongqing. Furthermore, we identified a strong positive correlation between population density and the distribution of sports tourism resources, highlighting the motivational role of populated areas and emphasizing potential inequalities if attention is focused solely on densely populated regions.

Discussion: This research provides novel insights into the complex relationships governing sports tourism resource distribution by employing advanced geo-analytical tools. It offers a strategic roadmap for equitable and sustainable urban development by addressing disparities in resource allocation, ultimately contributing to informed policy-making and enhanced regional resilience. This research aids in the strategic planning and sustainable development of sports tourism, providing a blueprint for urban development in the region that balances the needs of diverse populations and landscapes.

Keywords: GeoDetector; Lorenz Curve; Sichuan-Chongqing urban agglomeration region; spatiotemporal distribution; sports tourism resources; urban planning.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work is funded by the Major Project of Chongqing Municipal Social Planning: Research on the Path of Collaborative Governance of Sports Industry in the Twin-city Economic Circle of Chengdu-Chongqing Region in the Context of Digital Economy under grant 2023ZDSC15, by the Chongqing Doctoral Research Innovation Project: Predicting the Spatial Potential of Sports Tourism in Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-city Economic Circle under the Perspective of Territorial Tourism under grant CYB240088, by the Research Project of Southwest University: Opportunities and Challenges of International Communication of Ethnic Traditional Sports Culture in Southwest China under grant swu2403009, and the open fund of Beijing Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Remote Sensing Technology under grant AORS20238, in part by Key Laboratory of Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China under grant KLSMNR-G202303, in part by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, CHD under grant 300102353502.