Challenges and Potentials of Transnational Film/Contents Tourism: A Case Study of Japanese Fan Tourists in Germany

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20565
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 80020:Tourism studies-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Thelen Timo 金沢大学, 歴史言語文化学系, 講師 (90837452)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Contents Tourism / Media Tourism / Fan Studies / Globalization

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project aimed to understand cross-border content/media tourism in the globalized and digitalized age by examining a case study of Japanese fan tourists who traveled to Germany to visit a manga site. A qualitative approach using ethnographic fieldwork was used for the study, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders such as fan tourists, local authorities, and residents. The results were analyzed and theorized using fan capital theory to show how knowledge and travel experiences circulate within a fan community. The findings highlight that fan tourists are an important factor to consider in content/media tourism planning and destination management. Fans ultimately decide which place becomes a successful destination through their travel behavior and social media activities.

Free Research Field

Tourism Studies

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This research provided valuable insights into the complexity and dynamics of contents/media tourism and the crucial role that fans play to "create" and embrace "sacred places," i.e., media-related tourist sites. It suggests reconsidering fandom culture to implement sustainable tourism strategies.