Spatial differentiation analysis based spatial characteristics research of tourism economic differences of cities along Grand Canal in Jiangsu Province

Studying the spatial pattern of regional tourism economic differences in cities along the Grand Canal in Jiangsu Province and grasping the changing process of regional differences will help to make a correct judgment on their regional differences. This paper uses standard deviation, coefficient of variation and Theil index to analysis the tourism economic differences and evolution characteristics of eight cities along the Grand Canal in Jiangsu Province from 2008 to 2020. The study finds that, under the comprehensive influence of regional conditions, resources and industrial structure, the tourism economic differences among the cities are obvious. Suzhou and Wuxi have more tourism economic advantages, and Zhenjiang has the highest tourism economic contribution rate, the tourism economic differences between cities show a fluctuating change, and in recent years, the tourism economic differences between cities have gradually become smaller. The research results will effectively provide reference for the tourism cooperation and economic development of cities along the Grand Canal in Jiangsu Province.