The Tourism Service Trade Network: Statistics from China and ASEAN Countries

Abstract

This study uses the social network analysis method to explore the structural changes of the China–ASEAN tourism services trade network and its influencing factors based on tourism services trade data of China and ASEAN countries in 2015 and 2018. The findings show that (i) the network density of the tourism services trade network increased by 30% in 2018 compared with 2015. (ii) China, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia rank highly in terms of degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality. (iii) The distance between countries and differences in GDP per capita significantly affect the tourism services trade network. The recommendation is that tourism services trade be developed in a vigorous and systematic manner in the China–ASEAN region. This approach would enhance overall stability and cooperation in the tourism services trade network and create a win–win situation for trade in tourism services between China and ASEAN countries.