Prof. Xu’s research fields are mainly in sustainable tourism. She has published over 100 journal papers, including TM, ATR and JOST. She is a member of International Academy of Tourism Study. She is also the Chairperson of Chinese tourism geography commission and vice chair of Sport Leisure and Tourism Commission of international Geography Congress. Prof. Xu is a key expert in UNWTO sustainable tourism monitor center (MCSTO) and supports the monitoring of Huangshan world heritage site and Xidi and Hongcun world heritage site. She obtained Roy Wolfe Award from Tourism commission of American Geography Association for contribution in tourism geography researches.