2013 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
The Importance of Geoparks for Tourism in Japan
| Project/Area Number |
25501028
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Research Institution | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University |
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Principal Investigator |
COOPER M・J・M 立命館アジア太平洋大学, アジア太平洋学部, 教授 (50369146)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
VAFADARI Kazem 立命館アジア太平洋大学, アジア太平洋学部, 助教 (70628049)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
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| Keywords | Desk study methods / Field studies / Geoparks / Kyushu / Qeshm Island / Australian sites / Yadz / Geotourism |
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| Research Abstract |
This project investigates the potential for the further development of geotourism in Japan by analyzing the geology, history and culture, education, marketing, site preservation, visitor management, location, safety, and development potential within Japanese, Australasian, South East Asian and European Geoparks. We developed methodologies for the collection and analysis of data, including statistical analysis, textual analysis, and content analysis, and these have allowed us to provide a robust set of conclusions as a base for Phase 2 (2014).
The methodology used in Phase 1 was in two parts, the first to research published reports and papers. The second was a small number of field surveys of existing Kyushu Geoparks. We supplemented these local field studies by visits to Geoparks in Australia (Kanawincka, Mt. Morgan), and Qeshm Island and Yadz in Iran. Qeshm Island is particularly important, as it is a failed Geopark and we needed to find out exactly why so that our final recommendations can take such situations into account in their strategies.
In Phase 1 we reviewed and correlated analyses of previously published academic, community and business material on Japanese and Asia Pacific Geotourism. We covered promotional campaigns, facilities, visitor numbers and reason for visit in tourism, geotourism and non-tourism based regional stimulation efforts in Kyushu and in Australia and Iran as representative areas of the Asia Pacific Region. We also performed an initial analysis of the impact of socioeconomic changes from the establishment of Geoparks around the world.
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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
Research is proceeding as planned. We decided to move straight to the publication of some of our results. Our scoping paper and the final research instrument development has been completed. Prof Cooper concentrated on tourist flows and destination marketing, and Prof Vafadari undertook the analysis of environments, geotourism attractions and facilities, and risk management in the geotourism industry. A progress report will be presented to a seminar at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). During the desk research phase we carried out in-depth field studies in Australasian Geoparks and those in Japan as detailed in the budget, but also added the Qeshm Island study and a comparative study of the city of Yadz for benchmarking purposes. As noted above it was thought important to establish park failure benchmarks as well as park development and success indicators. We discovered that Qeshm Island, Iran, has just been de-listed as a failed Geopark, and we needed to find out exactly why so that our final recommendations can take such situations into account in their strategies for the development of Japanese Geoparks. We have now data based all the information collected and are preparing work plans for Phase 2. We have also prepared two book chapters on this field of research incorporating our data, which will be published in 2014.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The field surveys in Phase 2 (and Phase 3 in 2015) will be carried out by Principal Investigator Prof Cooper utilizing a set of standardized questionnaires covering economic value, geological resources, social and cultural impacts, risk analyses, and educational program analyses. Research assistants will be contracted to assist, and will be required to survey the range of stakeholders identified during Phase 1. Visitor questionnaires will be distributed, and a series of focus discussions with government and industry representatives held. Co-Investigator Prof Vafadari will be responsible for the collection and analysis of environmental and activity data at the field sites and Research Collaborator Hieda will provide psychological and sociological analyses of the local and tourist responses to the concepts of Geoparks and Geotourism.
In-depth field studies will be undertaken in Japan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Iran during this phase, based on the results of Phase 1. Cross-comparisons will be obtained through visits to selected sites in New Zealand (replaces Malaysia). We will write-up the site research results and our review of published material at the end of Phase 2. Publication of results in refereed journals and conference papers will be sought, together with the compilation of main findings and policy recommendations to various Government bodies and private organizations that assisted in the first 2 years of the research. An APU workshop will be organized at which we will discuss the research with Oita Prefectural representatives. We will complete the study in Phase 3.
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