Spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and mechanism of regional tourism urbanization and residents' happiness level adaptability

Standing at the new starting point of the comprehensive promotion of common prosperity, tourism has played a substantial role in industrial poverty alleviation. It has helped to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation in post-poverty areas. Tourism has effectively connected these areas to rural revitalization efforts. In this context, it becomes critical to examine the adaptive relationship between tourism urbanization and residents' happiness levels, particularly in typical backward areas with abundant tourism resources. Such an examination is important for solidifying the progress of poverty alleviation, driving rural revitalization, and ultimately fostering common prosperity. By understanding the dynamics between tourism urbanization and residents' happiness, both policymakers and stakeholders can formulate targeted strategic plans. These plans can fully leverage the potential of tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development and inclusive growth, ultimately aiding both local communities and the broader society. This paper constructs a theoretical framework of adaptability between tourism urbanization and residents' happiness level. The methods of sequence matching degree, geographical detector model, and mediating effect model are adopted to examine the spatio-temporal evolution and mechanism of adaptability of Western Hunan from 2007 to 2021. The results show that: (1) The overall mean of adaptability between tourism urbanization and residents' happiness level is 0.417, which is barely adaptable to increases at different phases. This result indicates the existence of a large gap in Western Hunan and a certain Matthew effect. (2) Adaptability is characterized by a spatial pattern of Yongding district, Wulingyuan district, Jishou city, and Fenghuang county at the center. It is high in the north and low in the south of the study area and presents a balanced development pattern from center to the edge with center districts taking the lead. Districts and counties with high adaptation should fully play their leading roles in promoting balanced regional development. (3) Quality tourism resources are among the dominant driving factors. Tourism urbanization and residents' happiness level are consistent with adaptability in high- and low-adaptive areas. Adaptive areas are horizontally aggregated. Tourism urbanization and residents' happiness level have social governance as the main adaptive path and distributive justice as the secondary adaptive path. This research provides insights into the geography of tourism to enhance residents' happiness levels. Scientific references and real case studies are presented to aid the formulation of differentiated measures in tourism urbanization development. By disclosing the spatio-temporal evolution and mechanism of adaptability, this study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between tourism urbanization and residents' well-being. The results can aid the sustainable development and promote common prosperity in the region. © 2024 Science Press. All rights reserved.