Dynamic mechanisms and spatial spillover effects of cultural tourism development in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Zuhaib; Gang Liu; Jingyao Chen; Shuaib Ali; Zhang Rui; Dawood; Huan Chen

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1555524

Dynamic mechanisms and spatial spillover effects of cultural tourism development in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Front Psychol. 2025 Jun 16:16:1555524. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1555524. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Zuhaib¹, Gang Liu¹, Jingyao Chen², Shuaib Ali³, Zhang Rui⁴, Dawood¹, Huan Chen¹

Affiliations

¹ College of International Tourism and Public Administration, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
² School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China.
³ School of Management, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ Qiongtai Teachers College, Qiongtai Normal University, Hainan, China.

Abstract

Introduction: This study explores the spatial spillover effects (SSE) and dynamic mechanisms of cultural tourism in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This study examines how infrastructure development, cultural integration, and spatial connectivity affect cultural tourism in Pakistan's CPEC and non-CPEC regions using spatial spillover and Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory.

Methods: Data were collected from 1,387 respondents in both regions, analyzed using the spatial Durbin model and structural equation modeling, and visualized using ArcMap and Geoda.

Results: The results indicate that the growth of cultural tourism is strongly influenced by dynamic processes, including better infrastructure, more cultural interchange, and easier accessibility, particularly in CPEC regions. Furthermore, non-CPEC regions exhibit minor advantages in terms of indirect economic gains and increased accessibility, highlighting the ongoing inequalities.

Discussion: These findings provide empirical insights into the regional impacts of large-scale initiatives, such as CPEC, and draw attention to government intervention, equitable resource allocation, and stakeholder collaboration to achieve long-term cultural tourism.

Keywords: CPEC; Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory; SDM; cultural tourism; dynamic mechanism; regional development; spatial spillover effects theory.