2026 Volume 63 Issue 4 Pages 32-38
Since around 2005, the rapid increase in the number of school trip students has led to the expansion of educational homestays in Okinawa Prefecture. These homestay programs have been valued for their significant contributions to regional revitalization. However, the COVID-19 has significantly disrupted educational homestay activities, leading to the temporary suspension of the Yomitan Educational Homestay. This study focuses on SKS Ltd. and the Yomitan Homestay Cooperation Association to explore their operational conditions during the pandemic, as well as the challenges and strategies for reconstruction. Four innovations were identified: 1) prioritizing GT through farmland rentals, 2) responding to the growing demand for host homes, 3) promoting inbound exchanges, and 4) attracting proposal-based training programs. The outcomes, challenges, and future directions of these initiatives are discussed.
