Possibility of using metropolitan railways for tourism

A case study of Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibilities and obstacles for using railways for tourism in the future through the case study of Nagoya Railway Co., Ltd. (Meitetsu) in the Chukyo metropolitan area, where the number of commuters is gradually decreasing. Travelers living in the Chukyo metropolitan area who use Meitetsu's “travel products” give positive evaluations of the use of railways for sightseeing. This paper concludes, in order to expand the possibilities to use urban railways for tourism in the future, efforts are required to improve the appeal of "travel products" both inside and outside the Chukyo metropolitan area.