Spatial Distribution of Tourist Toilets and the Driving Factors in Rural Destinations based on Data from Three Counties in China

Rural tourism practices have been widely recognized as an effective approach to alleviate rural poverty and promote global rural revitalization. The aim of this study is to investigate the spatial distribution and spatial-temporal evolution of tourist toilets in rural areas, considering their vital role as indispensable public infrastructure. By conducting case studies in three adjacent counties in Zhejiang Province, eastern China, this research examines tourist toilets from a geographical perspective. Public tourist toilets not only provide essential sanitary services to both tourists and local residents in tourist development areas but also play a crucial role in safeguarding rural resources, conserving the environment, and mitigating rural pollution. However, the analysis and research on this specific subject in the context of rural tourism remain limited, especially with regards to the utilization of geo-spatial data. To address this gap, the study utilizes statistical data on tourist toilets from 2015 to 2020 released by the governments of Deqing, An’ji, and Changxing counties in Zhejiang Province, in order to explore the core research questions outlined in this paper. The collected data were geocoded and stored in ArcGIS for further analyses. Various spatial analysis methods were employed to examine the spatial distribution patterns of tourist toilets in the study area. Furthermore, the study evaluated the factors influencing the spatial distribution and evolution of tourist toilets in GeoDetector. The risk factors analyzed covered natural, demographic, economic, transportation and policy aspects. The study also measured the interaction relationships of pairwise risk factors to explore their joint impacts on the spatial heterogeneity phenomenon of tourist toilets. The findings of present research provide detailed insights into the spatial distribution of tourist toilet facilities in the study area. The application of the research outcomes can inform decision-making processes related to rural sanitation policies and environmental management in tourism development areas.