SWOT Analysis and Optimization Path Research on the Integrated Development of Sports and Tourism in Xinyang City

Abstract

As China enters a new development stage, people’s demands have shifted from basic subsistence needs to high-quality pursuits of physical and mental well-being and emotional satisfaction. The in-depth integration of sports and tourism serves as a vital approach to meet people’s aspirations for a better life and advance the green transformation of regional economy, embracing unprecedented development opportunities. Located at the junction of Hubei, Henan and Anhui provinces and south of the Huaihe River, Xinyang boasts distinctive landscape ecology and red cultural resources, owning innate advantages for sports-tourism integration. Relevant studies dated back to 2011 defined sports tourism as an integrated industry of sports and tourism, featuring diversified participation motivations and experiences, which lays a solid theoretical foundation for this research. Adopting literature review, questionnaire survey and SWOT analysis, this paper explores the current development of sports-tourism integration in Xinyang. The results show that the city has superior ecological endowments, profound red culture, favorable geographical transportation conditions and improving sports facilities. Nevertheless, it faces drawbacks including small industrial scale, homogeneous products, shortage of professionals and insufficient publicity.Favorable national policies, booming health consumption demand, regional coordinated development momentum and rural revitalization strategy bring huge opportunities. Meanwhile, growing regional competition, ecological protection pressure, immature market system and unexpected risks pose potential threats. Corresponding optimization strategies are proposed accordingly. This study offers references for high-quality sports-tourism integrated development in Xinyang and similar regions.