The impact of Wuhan-Guangzhou HSR on regional tourism spatial pattern in Hubei Province

This article analyzes the impact of Wuhan-Guangzhou HSR on regional tourism spatial pattern in Hubei province in three aspects: firstly,using urban primacy index and rank-size rule we analyze the impact mentioned above;then we compare the structural differences of tourist flow network between before and after the operation of HSR in Hubei by using SNA method,which is a further validation for this impact;finally,we study the impact of HSR on spatial differences in regional tourism development by Theil coefficient and Differentiation index.The results show that:(1) Wuhan-Guangzhou HSR has strengthened the primacy distribution trend in Hubei,and plays a "catalyst" role in the formation of centralization of tourist spatial structure in this province.(2) The impact of Wuhan-Guangzhou HSR on the evolution of regional tourism spatial pattern in Hubei shows a "double-edged effect".On one hand,the HSR strengthens the role of polarization of the core region,and it exacerbates the differences of the overall regional tourism development,which shows a negative effect on the regional balance development.On the other hand,it strengthens the diffusion effect of the core region,and it exerts influence on the edge region to a certain degree.Therefore it minimizes the differences of tourism development within the edge region,and has a positive effect on the regional balance development.As the diffusion effect is less visible than the polarization effect,it will further widen the gap of tourism development level that is affected by HSR within the province.