Study on the Spatial-temporal Characteristics of Camping Network Attention in China

Abstract

Camping has become one of the most important spaces in China for people to relax. However, there is currently limited research that analyzes China's camping from a spatiotemporal perspective. Based on the Baidu Index, this paper explores the spatial-temporal characteristics and influencing factors of the network attention of camping in China using statistical analysis and spatial analysis. The study found that: (1) 2011-2022, the inter-annual change characteristics of the camping network attention showed an overall upward trend, and there was explosive growth in 2022, mainly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual variation of the attention of China's camping network shows that camping activities are primarily concentrated from March to October when the temperature comfort is higher. (2) The spatial characteristics pattern of the camping network attention was "more southeast, less northwest", but the overall distribution characteristics were balanced, and the degree of concentration was not high. (3) At the significance level of 0.05, the indicators, including GDP, tertiary industry, private passenger car ownership, per capita disposable income, total population at the end of the year, and the number of primary school students, were significant factors affecting the inter-annual change characteristics of the camping network attention. The gross regional product, tertiary industry, private passenger car ownership, per capita disposable income, and the total population at the end of the year, were important driving factors affecting the spatial distribution characteristics of the camping network attention. The follow-up research needs to consider more impact factors and refine the classification of impact factors to better provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the healthy and sustainable development of the domestic camping market and camping tourism.