Study on the Relationship Between Urban Rail Transit and Urban Tourism: A Case Study of the Top Ten Cities in China

Abstract

In order to explore the intrinsic relationship between rail transit and urban tourism, this study employs a combination of literature review, expert consultation, and analytic hierarchy process. An online and offline dual-channel survey was conducted through the Credamo platform, collecting 1,253 valid responses. The sample covers different age groups, income levels, and regions, and the survey includes six core dimensions. The survey results show: 1) The 21–40 age group has the highest tourism consumption capacity and travel tendency; 2) Income is positively correlated with willingness to travel, while the correlation becomes negative among high-income, busy groups; 3) Groups relying on the subway for daily transportation are more likely to choose it for tourism and prefer accommodation near subway stations; 4) The development level of the subway network is an important factor in destination choice; 5) Empirical analysis of 10 sample cities shows that tourists’ subway use is strongly correlated with subway mileage, while satisfaction is moderately correlated with transfer factors, confirming a significant association between rail transit and tourism. This study also incorporates urban cultural resources, tourism appeal, population density, and ground transportation into its theoretical framework, emphasizing that rail transit does not influence urban tourism independently. Instead, by improving the accessibility of cultural tourism resources, optimizing visitors’ spatial movement patterns, and reducing travel time costs, it interacts with the distribution of urban cultural spaces and tourism resources to shape visitors’ behavioral decisions. Based on these findings, the study concludes that a multidimensional interactive relationship exists between urban rail transit and urban tourism, providing theoretical and practical references for rail transit network optimization, cultural tourism resource allocation, and urban tourism governance.