2016 Volume 14 Issue 4 Pages 317-321
In Japan, the regional cooperation for tourism development has been promoted. In 2008, Tourism Area Development Act was established. This paper aims to discuss the possibilities and challenges of regional cooperation to foster tourism destination and communities based on the tourism area system. Through the case study of Sasebo-Ojika Tourism Area, the framework of regional cooperation is established and dispatch of information is strengthened. In addition, the conservation of natural environment and landscape might lead to regional spatial planning. However, the difference of characteristics and direction of tourism development make it difficult to cooperate deeply between major city(Sasebo) and remote island(Ojika).
