This paper aims to examine the extent to which the application of place identity theory could advance our understanding of residents' attitudes toward tourism by critically reviewing the relevant literature. It considers the significance of residents' positive attitude to and support of tourism when promoting regional tourism, especially after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has possibly heightened their negative feeling toward incoming tourism and tourists. The literature review on extant theoretical frameworks, such as the social exchange and social representation theories revealed that these could not fully explain residents' attitudes toward tourism. Thus, an alternative approach using place identity theory was first assessed in terms of its theoretical capacity, after which, empirical research using place identity theory was critically evaluated. The study concludes that place identity theory could be useful when combined with the precedent theoretical accounts. The findings also indicated a reciprocal relationship between residents' attitude and place identity. An intervening variable could be the congruity between residents' place identity and place branding. This, in turn, suggests possible future research avenues in terms of proposing practical solutions to the issue.

抄録全体を表示

In recent years, various forms of “tourism” have been proposed, influenced by the growing momentum to correct diverse problems caused by mass tourism. However, while most of them present the principle of tourism and responsibilities, they do not suggest the specific actions that are required of each stakeholder.
Today, “regional tourism” is attracting a lot of attention in Japan. Because it is essential to revitalize regional economy through tourism for Japan to become a tourism-advanced nation. In regional tourism, local communities must be direct beneficiaries of tourism. Because for region to be a tourism destination sustainably, the region in itself needs to be sustainable. Also, for the regional tourism to be sustainable, regional tourism needs to be developed with participation and involvement by regional community and residents. This is true not only tourism development, but also tourism operation and maintenance. In a nutshell, it is indisputable for residents of a community to share the benefits of tourism. One of the enables is “fair travel”.
In this study, we attempted to investigate the actual situation of “fair travel” in which local communities and local businesses are incorporated as partners in the creation of tours, and travelers are asked to spend money that can be returned to the local community.

抄録全体を表示

In this study, same-sex marriage is regarded as a social innovation, and the current situation in Japan in terms of tourism is analyzed using E. M. Roger's innovation diffusion theory （1990）. Complexity, trialability, and observability are significant in creating and introducing tourism styles based on new values ​​and ideas. Although tourism products related to same-sex marriage still have issues in that regard, this study shows that they are useful in developing new consumer groups and function as an entry point in the domestic diffusion process of LGBT tourism. In addition, actor analysis reveals the significant roles of “innovators” and “early adopters.” Moreover, the importance of increasing the number of tourism-related actors is confirmed because value co-creation with actors who play other roles accelerates the spread and popularization of LGBT tourism. However, “comfort” cannot be sufficiently guaranteed to LGBT consumers during their stay. Just having and arranging all the systems and products is not enough. Japan is now required to transform into a flexible society that can accept LGBT-friendly tourism, both physically and mentally. The tourism-related actors must adopt multi-faceted innovations to improve Japan's position as a same-sex marriage destination. Increasing various entry and contact points makes it essential to accelerate their understanding and dissemination further. This will lead to the penetration of LGBT tourism into the Japanese society.

抄録全体を表示

Ryokans or Japanese inns are lodging facilities unique to Japan. However, in recent years, the framework of a ryokan itself is facing a major turning point due to changes in the behavior of travelers, the diversification of the accommodation business and revisions to the Hotel and Ryokan Management Law, among others. The study aims to clarify the issues surrounding the definition of a ryokan by examining the origin of the term ryokan, its definitions and relevant changes. As a result, after highlighting the legal issues surrounding ryokans and the loss of ryokan culture, the study clarifies that it is important to redefine the ‘elements constituting a ryokan' for the future development of the hotel business.

抄録全体を表示

In order to promote repeat visits to destination and facilities, it is essential to increase the level of satisfaction of tourists by enhancing the attractiveness of destination and facilities, and to gain, maintain, and improve the loyalty of visitors to destination over the medium to long term. This study aims to clarify the impact of “interest generation” on destination loyalty in a destination loyalty model with “expectation,” “disconfirmation of expectation,” and “satisfaction” as exploratory variables. Theme parks are the type of attractions where interest generation is expected to have a special impact on loyalty. Tokyo Disneyland (TDL) was chosen as a target because its attractions are frequently renewed, and therefore, interest generation is expected to be frequent. 324 valid responses were obtained through an online survey of monitors who have visited TDL. These findings imply further points to the importance of offering visitors settings that generate interest, in addition to understanding and meeting their expectations.

抄録全体を表示

One of the characteristics of tourism promotion measures in the EU is that a wide variety of funding is provided to the tourism sectors throughout the member countries and regions, regardless of whether the sectors is public or private. Among them, a series of LEADER programs have shown epoch-making effects since the early 1990s in disadvantaged areas of the EU region in terms of rural development.
In Europe, it was pointed out that in the 1980s, the shift from “agricultural policy” to “rural policy” began, and the promotion of non-agricultural business became the EU's policy theme, wherefore, also rural tourism spreaded widely throughout the EU. The EU's rural development funding support program “LEADER”, which started in 1991, has brought about the development of rural tourism and has made a great contribution to the revitalization of the endogenous type in the EU region. In fact, looking at only the 217 groups in the first phase of LEADER, 71 groups, which is about one-third, invested more than half of their budget in tourism-related business plans.
This study aims, firstly, to summarize the historical background of the LEADER program in the EU, secondly, to clarify the seven “features and principles” contained in this program, and thirdly, to elucidate LEADER's policy theory which continues to grow and develop even after 30 years.

抄録全体を表示

Regarding the Japan's DMO system established in November 2015, the problems and solutions concerning DMOs have been comprehensively organized. As a result, it was clarified that researchers and policy makers have comprehensively presented solutions, but the financial resources problem, human resources problem, and organizational independence are left to the voluntary efforts of the region. On the other hand, the recent trends and background of the DMO registration system were grasped through an interview survey with policymakers. Based on that, the characteristics of Japan's DMO registration system was reviewed. In consequence, this paper indicated that (1) it is necessary to prioritize realistic responses based on internal and external requests, (2) the high flexibility of the DMO registration system is the background of realistic responses, (3) based on the indirect support structure from the central government, the voluntary initiative of the region is indispensable, and (4) since the introduction of the DMO registration system has started from the discussion of regional revitalization policy by the cabinet office, the DMO's establishment itself is given the highest priority, the direction of the DMO registration system is still unclear, and these primordial matters have been existing even today.

抄録全体を表示

This study examined the tourism motives for micro-tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we analyzed the relationships between tourism motives, destination attributes, and tourism satisfaction. We focused on Tokyo, which has the largest population, as a destination of micro-tourism in Japan. The present study showed that four tourism motives, ‘cultural experience,’ ‘experiencing nature,’ ‘self-expansion,’ and ‘relaxing tensions,’ were positively related to tourism. The higher the ‘experiencing nature’ of tourism motives, the greater the tourism satisfaction. As one of the destination attributes, the ‘food’ showed a substantial effect on tourism satisfaction. One notable new result was that we extracted two clusters of respondents, the General and Planning Cluster, by the tourism motives, and the Planning Cluster traveled less.

抄録全体を表示

Destination management companies （DMCs） are locally based tourism enterprises with expertise in meetings, incentives, congresses/conventions, and exhibitions/events （MICE）. However, the literature has given less attention to DMCs. As related organizations will take on the role of destination management in the future, elucidating the actual situation of DMCs is important. These companies are expected to play an important role in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainable development of destinations by providing tourists with experience value through various products beyond MICE. Thus, this study aims to fill the research gap in academic and practical knowledge and clarifies the nature of DMCs and their role in and contribution to destination development. Based on a semi-structured interview with the CEO of Japan's first DMC in Okinawa, this study reveals the origins of DMCs in Japan, their specialization in business travel, and their current contribution to the development of MICE in the region. Furthermore, this study proposes a hypothetical model of tourism destination evolution based on the causal relationship between various DMC-based initiatives and the development of MICE.

抄録全体を表示

Stray Notes on Kioto and Its Environs (1874, 1876, 1878) (hereafter referred to as SNs) are less well known than the oldest guidebook on Kyoto in English, K. Yamamoto's Celebrated Places in Kiyoto (1873). However, it became evident that the SNs were the original of W. E. L. Keeling Tourists' Guide (1880) (hereafter referred to as TG). Firstly, the background of the SNs was researched. Secondly, the SNs investigated uncertainties about the TG. As a result, the SNs revealed that the changes in travel due to the development of transportation to Kyoto, the influence of old Western travelogues, the description of the grand festivals in Kyoto, and most importantly, the beginning of Western tourism of the Hozu River boat ride. The SNs are one of the most important historical documents describing the 1870s in Kyoto.

抄録全体を表示

This study examines whether inbound tourist-focused destination management in Japan leads to regional revitalization, specifically the retention of young women and the expansion of local economies. The analysis makes use of government statistics on prefecture-specific population by gender and age, and, as reliable tourism statistics, length of stay, room occupancy rate, number of workers in the lodging and dining industry, sales and added value, net production value, and minimum wage. It was found that the wage gap between urban and local areas is strongly correlated with the population decline (outflow) of young women, agglomeration of the tourism industry is strongly correlated with the expansion of employment in local areas, and added value from the tourism industry is strongly correlated with labor productivity. These findings suggest that destination management and increasing added value and the length of stays may create employment in local areas and may curb decline （outflow） in population, including young women, by reducing the wage gap through enhancement of labor productivity.

抄録全体を表示