A Study on the Establishment Process of Pet Tourism in Karuizawa Town and Izu Kogen Area

Abstract

In recent years, "pet tourism", a form of travel in which people travel with their pets, has been attracting attention. In this study, we investigated the development process of dog tourism in Karuizawa Town, and Izu Kogen area, where pet tourism has been promoted from the early stage. As a result, it was clarified that pet tourism was triggered by the establishment of "pet friendly hotel" through the goodwill of pension owners in the "pioneer period", and that in the subsequent "preparatory phase", service area development was promoted with the increase in car travel for tourists with dogs. Next, in the "establishment phase," pet tourism began to develop into community development by organizations. Finally, in the "development phase," pet tourism expanded to include collaboration with businesses and promotional activities outside the region.