2014 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
The Importance of Geoparks for Tourism in Japan
| Project/Area Number |
25501028
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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 | Field studies / Kunisaki Peninsula / Geoparks / Qeshm Island / Adelaide Hills / Yadz / Geotourism / Ifugao Rice Terraces |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This project was designed to investigate 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 local and international Geoparks. The field surveys in Phase 2 were carried out by Principal Investigator Professor Cooper and covered economic value, geological resources, social and cultural impacts, risk analyses, and educational programs. Visitor questionnaires were distributed, and a series of discussions with government and industry representatives held at the major sites. Co-Investigator Assistant Professor Vafadari collected and analyzed environmental and activity data at the field sites. In-depth field studies were undertaken in Japan, Vietnam, The Philippines, Sri Lanka and Iran during this phase. Cross-comparisons will now be obtained through visits to selected sites in New Zealand and other regions depending on availability of funds and data (replacing Malaysia) during Phase 3 (FY2015). We collated the site research results and our review of published material at the end of Phase 2 in FY2014. Publication of results in refereed journals and conference papers are now being completed, together with the compilation of main findings and policy recommendations to be circulated to the various Government bodies and private organizations that assisted in the first two years of the research.
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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
We completed desk-top data exercises in Phase 2. Otherwise, research is proceeding as planned. We have continued to publish our results. In 2014 Professor Cooper concentrated on tourist flows and destination marketing, and Assistant Professor Vafadari undertook further analyses of environments, geotourism attractions and facilities, and risk management in the geotourism industry. During 2014 we continued to carry out in-depth field studies in Australasian Geoparks and Japan, and added the Ifugao Rice Terraces (The Philippines), the Qeshm Island study, and a comparative study of the city of Yadz in Iran for benchmarking purposes. The publications and conference papers prepared during the year are listed below.
In order to build a sustainable tourism industry based on Geoparks, the role of community in establishment and management of tourism enterprises has to be carefully considered and investigated. In this regard, community leaders were identified and indicators of how the development of tourism activities is sustained at community level constructed. It was found that community training and networking plays an important role in community based sustainable tourism, and how to ensure that the benefit or tourism revenue stays in the community is the most important question. This research also aimed to model sustainable use of natural resources in the Geopark context. The findings show that sustainable tourism, if well managed, is seen as a powerful tool for the conservation of natural resources, and the promotion of traditional knowledge.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In FY2015 we will complete all outstanding tasks for this project. Final field surveys will be carried out in Japan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Iran. Cross-comparisons will be obtained through further visits to selected sites in The Philippines and New Zealand (replaces Malaysia). We will write-up the site research results and our review of published material for further publications. Selected conferences will be used to present our findings on sustainable and geotourism, the use of social media in determining the value of geotourism, and on the use of apps/serious games in educating tourists and local communities as to the value of geotourism and GeoParks in Japan and elsewhere.
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 two 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. We will deliver conference papers and write up our research.
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