Recognizing Changes in the Chinese Outbound Tourism Source Market

Abstract

This study presents a geographic market segmentation and evolutionary approach by examining regional differences in Chinese outbound market and its distribution. To do this, two well-known empirical regularities that are used in urban geography—the primate city and rank-size rule—are employed to measure changes and trends. The research findings show that as the scale of the core region (mega in size with respect to tourist volume) increases, peripheral regions (small and medium sized), with ununiform speed, respond quickly to this change. The results also show how the market has evolved over the time period as well as the trends of development between core and peripheral regions. Understanding such implications may help Western providers better serve this unique and idiosyncratic market.