Abstract
This study uses social network analysis and modified gravity model methods to empirically analyse the network spatial correlation structure and spatiotemporal development trend of 21 cities in Guangdong Province from 2000 to 2020 based on tourism economic development data. The findings show that, first, Zhuhai has the greatest potential for growth as the centre of the spatial and temporal evolution trend of the network structure of the tourism economy in Guangdong Province, ahead of Shenzhen, Huizhou, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Dongguan. However, Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province, is experiencing a decline in such influence and development. Second, there is a counter-trend growth in the number of tourism-related economic links among the 21 cities. Although Guangdong's tourism economic network intensity is strong, there is still room for further optimisation. Third, the results of the overall network indicators show that there is a need for further improvement in network density, grade and efficiency to help reduce the relative development gap of the cities' tourism and effectively improve the overall development of Guangdong's tourism economy. Finally, based on the core-periphery structure, this study proposes relevant suggestions for the sustainable development of Guangdong's tourism industry.