China–ASEAN Tourism Economic Relationship Network: A Geopolitical Risk Perspective

Despite extensive research on the network structure of tourism destinations, literature on the spatial network structure of cross-border tourism–economic connections is relatively limited, specifically the complex geopolitical relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thus, in this study we explored the relevant characteristics and influencing factors of the spatial structure of tourism economic networks. The results first indicate that the China–ASEAN tourism economic network exhibits distinct stage characteristics, with an ‘N’-shaped fluctuating growth trend, evolving from a point-like network to a multipolar development in spatial structure. In addition, China demonstrates a distinctive personality in the network and occupies a central leadership position. Secondly, an analysis of influencing factors shows that institutional distance and geographic distance have a significant impact on the network. Geopolitical risk plays a notable indirect moderating role in the network through its association with tourism policies and regulations, tourism promotion, and cooperation. This further reveals the diverse pathways through which geopolitical risk affects the network, providing a novel perspective for research on the tourism economic network.