Influencing factors of tourism flow

To truly understand the law of development and change of tourism flow, we must explore its internal roots. Judging from the history and present situation of tourism development in various countries in the world, the factors affecting the movement of tourism flow are as follows:

(A) the spatial distance

The spatial distance between tourist destination and tourist destination is one of the most important factors that determine the direction, flow and time characteristics of tourist flow. This is because the spatial distance is not a single variable, but a comprehensive factor, and it is also a factor whose direction is difficult to determine. It can influence tourists' choice of destination in a very subtle way and intensity. A large spatial span means a large regional cultural difference, which is hard to say whether it constitutes a driving force to promote tourism or a resistance to curb tourism. What matters is the final result of the struggle of these contradictory forces. At the same time, large spatial span means high transportation cost, which is undoubtedly the resistance of tourism. Generally speaking, no matter which continent or country (region) residents take the scenic spots near their own country (region) as their main tourist destination first, so the transportation cost is relatively small, time is saved, and there is little difference in geography, climate and even culture, so it is easier to adapt. Therefore, all countries and regions first regard the surrounding areas as the main tourist destinations, and the intensity of market promotion from near to far constitutes a circle model of tourist destination market.

(2) International (interregional) relations

Tourism is a process in which people from different countries and regions communicate with each other. This kind of communication will not be without any foundation. On the contrary, the closeness of the two countries in politics, military affairs and trade, the origin and dependence in society, history and culture, and the similarities or differences in values, customs and social systems will greatly affect tourists' choice of tourist destinations. Obviously, the close political, military and trade exchanges between the two countries will promote the expansion of tourism scale, because it will create a safe atmosphere and provide various convenient conditions. The relationship between country (or nation) in social, historical and cultural aspects is often the driving force to stimulate people's root-seeking complex. Japan has such a relationship with China, the United States, Australia and Europe to a certain extent. Tourism based on this relationship is easy to understand and has many convenient conditions (such as language exchange).

In addition, the influence of the East-West camp confrontation formed during the Cold War on the choice of tourist destinations has not been completely eliminated, almost like the thunder pool decades ago, which has formed a situation in which Western European tourists mainly travel to Western Europe or cross the ocean to North America, while Eastern European tourists mainly travel to Eastern Europe. Values, social systems and customs have a great influence on tourists' choice of tourist destinations.

(C) the relationship between tourism supply and tourism demand

This is the most fundamental factor that affects the movement of international or regional tourism flows. The relationship between tourism demand and tourism supply is very complicated, which may be manifested in very different levels and have very different properties. To sum up, on the one hand, it is a horizontal relationship, on the other hand, it is a structural relationship.

From a horizontal perspective, the relationship between tourism supply and tourism demand stipulates the quantity and scale characteristics of tourism flows. In the history of tourism development, modern tourism first occurred in developed countries, and modern mass tourism mainly began in developed countries. Important tourist destinations and important tourist sources are also in developed countries. This shows that the tourism demand and supply capacity determined by the economic situation are very important factors affecting the tourism flow.

Demand and supply not only affect tourism flow in quantity, but also play an important role in structure. Demand is directional, although sometimes this directionality is elastic; Supply also has objects, even if sometimes the stipulation of objects is not static. The stipulation of demand and supply in this structure not only affects the direction and time characteristics of tourism flow, but also determines the practical significance of the existing horizontal relationship between demand and supply. From this, we can draw a conclusion that the structural coordination and correspondence between demand and supply is the foundation to promote the movement of tourism flow.