Host: The Association of Japanese Geographers
Art tourism is increasingly seen as a tool for regional development, as it is expected to attract new types of tourists especially from the so-called creative classes and allows for active participation of local citizens in the development process. This paper aims to examine art tourism in Naoshima from two aspects. On the one hand, it investigates the characteristics of tourists, their image of Naoshima and their interest in art and architecture. On the other hand, it analyses the activities and opinions of actors in the tourism industry. Research was conducted through questionnaires and interviews.
