The Approach of Geotourism in Mishima Kikai Caldera Geopark, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

In this paper, The author have elucidated the features of geotourism that were developed in geopark had have argued that geotourism has been developing in disadvantaged areas. To consider the potential development of geotourism, especially with a focus on small islands, The author have collected speeches on this geopark from Mishima Village Hall office staffs and the residents using a qualitative technique of hearing investigation about Mishima Kikai Caldera Geopark. As a result, it was suggested that the building community based on various themes has accelerated before and after the geopark’s registration. This was because island and non-island people worked together to gather support for the geopark and geotourism. As a prerequisite, it is essential to have the people living in the islands understand the meaning of the park because the lack of a shared understanding make geopark difficult to sustain. It is necessary to share this recognition with the organizations that collaborate with one another. Furthermore, because the islands are small, they have a gateway function regarding the development of future geoparks amid limited human resources. Filling the gap in human resources is an important issue for future geoparks. Therefore, it is important for us to get a grasp of the process of future effort of geotourism in Mishima Kikai Caldera Geopark.