Spatial Analysis of Network Attention on Tourism Resources for Sustainable Tourism Development in Western Hunan, China: A Multi-Source Data Approach

Understanding the tourism resource network attention is crucial for promoting sustainable tourism development. This study utilized multi-source data to assess tourism resource network attention in Western Hunan, with GIS spatial analysis and the Geodetector method applied to identify spatial patterns and influencing factors. The results indicate a distinct “dual-core” spatial clustering in network attention, with natural landscape resources centralized in Zhangjiajie and cultural landscape resources in Xiangxi Prefecture. Recreational tourism resources exhibit a similar clustering pattern around these primary and secondary centers. The factors and intensities influencing network attention differ by tourism resource type. For overall tourism resources, natural landscapes, and cultural landscapes, tourist attractions rating (X 11 ) and attraction clustering degree (X 12 ) are the primary drivers, with the strongest impact on natural landscapes (q = 0.648, 0.373), followed by overall resources (q = 0.361, 0.216) and cultural landscapes (q = 0.311, 0.206). In contrast, recreational resources are most influenced by nearby attractions and tourism service capacity (q(X 12 ) = 0.743, q(X 15 ) = 0.620), alongside notable effects from regional factors related to economic development, industrial structure, and tourism development (X 1 –X 9 ). The interaction between inherent tourism resource characteristics (X 10 –X 15 ) and regional environmental factors (X 1 –X 9 ) enhances the driving effect on tourism resource network attention. These findings inform differentiated, resource-specific tourism planning strategies for sustainable development in Western Hunan, promoting balanced regional growth and optimized resource management through a data-driven approach.