The increase in travelers by utilizing Geo-resources is expected in regions promoting Global Geopark activities. In order to increase the travelers attracted by Geo-resources, approaches to tourists based on marketing management are required. However, there has been no studies that quantitatively verified the effect of Geo-resources to attract the travelers and identified the multifaceted characteristics of the travelers attracted by Geo-resources. The purposes of this study are the following. The first purpose is to divide the traveler visiting to Geo-region into some segments by applying the latent class analysis to the data concerning pull factors and then to confirm existence of the traveler segment which includes Geo-resources as a pull factor (Geo-resources segment). The second purpose is to clarify the characteristics of the Geo-resources segment and then to provide the marketing strategy which makes the Geo-resources segment a target. For these purposes, Oki islands are set as an analysis object and the questionnaire survey of the travelers visiting to Oki islands has been conducted. Applying latent class analysis to classification of Oki islands travelers, six traveler segments have been extracted. By observing the main pull factors which take high conditional probability, it is shown that these segments are characterized as “no pull factor”, “nature”, “nature and Geo-resources”, “atmosphere of Island”, “standard” and “standard and Geo-resources”. Since the Geo-resources segments are observed in this result, it is cleared that Geo-resources have the effect to attract the travelers. The differences in socioeconomic attributes, expectations, consciousness and evaluation between the Geo-resources segment and the others segments have been analyzed by using chi-square test or t test. From these results, it is revealed that “nature and Geo-resources” segment is mainly characterized by “beginner”, “someone perceiving Oki as general”, in contrast, “standard and Geo-resources” segment is mainly characterized by “the lover of nature, touring and islands”, “someone perceiving Oki as special”. In addition, marketing strategies fitted to the characteristics of each Geo-resources segment have been proposed.

抄録全体を表示

In this article, I introduce the concept of Action Research as a promising approach in the field of language revitalization, and refer to language revitalization activities on Ryukyu-Okinoerabu Island such as (1) Offering information through local seminars or newspapers; (2) Developing teaching materials; (3) Opening language classrooms; and (4) Creating a website. Although the activities on Okinoerabu Island have achieved certain results in terms of offering information and the provision of language materials, there are also future challenges regarding activities that help to promote local autonomy such as the teaching of dialect in classrooms. In terms of reorganizing these activities, local practitioners will need to take a central role right from the start when planning projects to ensure they take account of local needs. In addition, it is necessary to review the evaluation and assessment methods used in language revitalization research.

抄録全体を表示

The current study examines the hurdles encountered in implementation of distance learning education by The University of the South Pacific (USP) in the Pacific Islands Region. The provision of quality education has been recognised as imperative across all cohorts to achieve sustainability in development. Education has also been identified as the lynchpin for achieving Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for the world. Educated citizens are well aware and can effectively work on economic, social and environmental aspects of their nation’s progress, thus ensuring national self-reliance. The learning experience is enriched when participants share the prevailing practices for disaster mitigation and management, thereby also allowing the drawing of parallels if appropriate. In the present study, these experiences will be examined in detail with the purpose of deriving lessons that could help improve quality and accessibility to education in developed countries. Education in the developed world may be exorbitantly expensive and students are often crumbled under debt or otherwise impeded of accessing higher education. The USP distance learning program has overcome cultural and language diversities to successfully spread and impart education to motivated students at economically feasible costs. The primary objective of this study is to investigate and understand the methodology adopted and hurdles overcome by USP during implementation of distance education program in Pacific Islands. It will also focus on the lessons that can be learnt by the developed countries from USP in making education effective, cheap and accessible to all. The “Pacific Islands Region” consists of a myriad of small island countries and territories. The islands are developing economies separated by vast distances, diverse cultures, languages, and different political structures exhibiting a complex network of regional and international affiliations. The citizens of this region are attached to their culture and prefer to stay and contribute to the development of their respective countries. However, due to small population size and lack of funds, there is a dearth of institutes focusing on higher education and research which are imperative for any nation’s stable growth. The University of the South Pacific is a leading institution for higher education in the Pacific region and has been constantly contributing for decades to the education infrastructure in these islands. In order to overcome the constraints of poor connectivity and allocation of sufficient funds to build physical campuses in these islands, USP has also pioneered distance education programs in the Pacific Islands. In particular, the Flipped Classroom approach - an instructional strategy where students have access to enriching course content online - is being used for the distance education programs. Flipped classrooms offer students convenience and flexibility of studying their subjects of interest without having to incur in hefty travel costs and tuition fees involved in participating in the same courses offered on physical campuses. Participating students are also awarded with course completion certificates after fulfilling all the requirements laid down by the university. These certificates are recognised in several public and private institutions in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, hence giving the students a better chance of exploring possibilities in highly competitive international markets and deepening international collaboration in their home countries. Furthermore, as the geography of these islands makes them highly prone to fatal disasters, these countries have also developed disaster mitigation infrastructure and programs for preparing their population in events of force-majeure...(continued)...

抄録全体を表示