Missed connections: Japan inbound tourism campaigns

Authors

  • Isabell Handler Universidade de Keio, Japão
  • Noriko Ito Universidade de Keio, Japão

Keywords:

Japan, Inbound tourism, tourism management, national tourism organization, VJC, Visit Japan Campaign.

Abstract

The concept of a governmental or a semi-government office fostering the development of tourism in an economy is a well established practice in both developed and developing countries (Kotler, 2006). However, within the Japanese context, the 2nd largest economy, instead of one central authority directing a variety of tourism developments/industries, there is a series of offices and organizations, with the task of promoting Japan as a travel destination. Utilizing both a qualitative methodology of ethnography and interviews and a quantitative analysis of recent tourists attracted in the “Visit Japan Campaign”, this paper investigates why Japan has one of the world’s least effective inbound tourism policies. Finally by illustrating the Japanese perception of tourism based on the reaction of various tourism “bodies” to typical academic tourism research, the paper examines whether tourism functions as an industry group in Japan or whether it is viewed as a tool by the Japanese government to promote a positive image of Japan.

Author Biographies

  • Isabell Handler, Universidade de Keio, Japão
    PhD Candidate, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University, Japan
  • Noriko Ito, Universidade de Keio, Japão
    PhD, Associate Professor at the Facukty of Business and Commerce, Keio University, Japan

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Published

31.12.2008

Issue

Section

Tourism/Hospitality: Research Papers

How to Cite

Handler, I., & Ito, N. (2008). Missed connections: Japan inbound tourism campaigns. Tourism & Management Studies, 4, 50-60. https://tmstudies.net/index.php/ectms/article/view/48

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