2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
An Exploratory Investigation of Japanese Inbound Tourism Distribution Channels
| Project/Area Number |
18K01870
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| Research Institution | Otaru University of Commerce |
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Principal Investigator |
王 力勇 小樽商科大学, 商学部, 准教授 (70772466)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
Praet Carolus 小樽商科大学, 商学部, 教授 (40292081)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | TDC structure / Outbound tour operator / DMC / Hotel / Channel relationship / SET theory |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
First, we have revised the manuscript of TDC in the luxury travel segment based on 23 interviews with outbound tour operators. All respondents reported disintermediation to fulfill and satisfy luxury travelers’ needs for unique and personalized services.
Second, we have analyzed the relational exchanges between accommodation providers and tour operators by applying SET theory. Due to growing online platforms, traditional tour operators are losing channel power and accommodation providers depend less on them. Nevertheless, both sides highlighted the importance of commitment to maintain long-term healthy relationships.
Third, we conducted a survey of Hokkaido accommodation facilities on their relationship satisfaction. Currently, we are sorting the quantitative data.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
With the reopening of the Japanese border to inbound tourists in October of 2022, the inbound tourism industry has been of resilience gradually. Thus we finally have had an optimistic environment to conduct a survey of accommodation facilities on the influential factors of their relationship satisfaction with tour operators.
By sending questionnaires to over 800 facilities in Hokkaido, we finally collected around 200 samples. This is a big step for this research to move forward to the quantitative approach.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In FY 2023, first, we will continually be revising our manuscripts and trying to get them published.
Second, we will sort and analyze the quantitative survey data. After summarizing the results, we will try to get them published.
Third, we will continually attend academic conferences to publish our research findings and also to broaden and deepen our knowledge of TDC research.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to cancel several trips for interviews and international academic conferences, which saved our research budget.
We plan to make use of the incurring amount for attending academic conferences to present our research findings and deepen our knowledge on the research topic.
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