Abstract: The theme parks, feature neighborhoods and exhibitions have become the main space carriers for urban tourism ac- tivities. The gathering and proliferation of tourism activities in the theme park agglomeration area has had a profound impact on the growth of urban tourism areas. Based on the field survey of the Fangte Tourism Area in Wuhu, it is found that in the theme park agglomeration economy, urban tourism areas follow the growth path of "Theme park agglomeration-Space optimization and expansion-Industrial upgrading-Function enhancement-Tourism areas growth". The optimization of industrial structure caused by industrial upgrading is the fundamental driving force for the growth of urban tourism areas. It is pointed out that the growth of urban tourism areas driven by theme park agglomeration is essentially the result of the combined effects of technological in- novation, institutional innovation and preference changes brought about by theme park agglomeration.

Key words: theme park agglomeration, urban spatial structure, growth of urban tourism areas, driving mechanism