Exploring the time-space evolution mechanism of homestays in old liberated area: evidence from the Anhui Dabie Mountain Old Revolutionary Base, China

Abstract The homestay industry has become a critical channel for promoting rural revitalization and urban–rural integration in China’s old revolutionary areas. However, the spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of homestay agglomeration remain insufficiently explored. This study examines the long-term spatiotemporal evolution of different types of homestays in the Anhui Dabie Mountain Old Revolutionary Base (ADMORB) in China from 2006 to 2023 using a multi-model system. Geodetector is employed to quantify the determinants driving the spatial layout of homestays, and multifactor detection further elaborates the role of interactions among impact factors in driving spatial evolution. The findings indicate that the spatial agglomeration of homestays in the ADMORB has continuously expanded unevenly, forming a “one-core and multi-center” cluster. A comparative analysis reveals notable variations in spatial agglomeration according to different homestay types. Yuexi County emerges as the focal point of the homestay industry, with the geographical center gradually shifting northward between 2019 and 2023. High-end homestays show a preference for relatively high altitudes and steep slopes and a lower demand for transportation access. Tourism resource endowment is identified as the most significant spatial heterogeneity driver of homestays in the ADMORB. The effects of combining at least two factors on the spatial heterogeneity of homestays are illustrated. Furthermore, geographic location is found to be an enhancing factor in the determination of the homestay layout when combined with other factors. These findings enhance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying homestay distribution and provide practical insights into tourism planning in China’s old revolutionary bases.