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Social Media Influencers for Sustainable Destination Marketing - Enhancing Awareness on Overtourism and Pro-Environmental Travel Behaviors among Inbound Tourists

Research Project

Project/Area Number 24K22627
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section 0107:Economics, business administration, and related fields
Research InstitutionHokkaido University

Principal Investigator

ONG YI・XUAN  北海道大学, メディア・コミュニケーション研究院, 講師 (11000399)

Project Period (FY) 2024-07-31 – 2026-03-31
Project Status Granted (Fiscal Year 2024)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000)
Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2024: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
Keywordsnegative frame / trustworthiness / influencer sincerity / advertising disclosure / effectiveness / Overtourism / Social Media Influencer / Destination Marketing / Consumer Behaviour / Sustainability
Outline of Research at the Start

As destination management/marketing organizations (DMOs) in Japan are working to
recover in the post-pandemic era, they face the consequences of overtourism and challenges in managing destinations sustainably. This study takes an experimental approach targeting top inbound tourist markets to Japan to (1) understand their perceptions of overtourism in Japan and (2) examine the mechanisms of sustainable SMI marketing in alleviating destinations with overtourism by promoting less-known destinations and pro-environmental travel behaviors.

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

1. Literature Review, Survey Design and Pilot Study has been executed smoothly. 2. A total of 2 conference paper (refereed), has been submitted and accepted, with one conference presentation completed in December at the TTRA Apac 2024 International Conference. The second conference presentation is scheduled to take place at Busan, South Korea from 7 - 9 July, at the 30th Asia Pacific Tourism Association Conference. 3. The first manuscript is expected currently being written and to be submitted by June to the Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 4. Data Collection for the main study is in progress.

Current Status of Research Progress
Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Preliminary study has been completed with significant findings, lending support for the main study which is in data collection stage. In addition to the 2 conference presentations and working papers, 1 full manuscript is being written for submission to a top-tiered journal by June.
Based on the preliminary study, we have achieved the following key insights, answering RQ1 and RQ2 of the research: 1. People who have been to Japan has a higher awareness of overtourism situation in the country, which would motivate them to travel to the lesser known destinations. 2. Negatively-framed SMI content are more likely to inspire followers of influencers to follow them to travel to the lesser-known destinations 3. SMI content with no PR/advertising disclosure are perceived to be as more trustworthy and sincere, resulting in greater effectiveness of the promotion.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Currently, we are collecting data from the main study where analysis will take place immediately right after. Manuscript writing and presentations at international conferences this year are currently planned to ensure successful achievement of proposed research.

Report

(1 results)
  • 2024 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (2 results)

All 2025 2024

All Presentation (2 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 2 results)

  • [Presentation] MESSAGE EFFECTS AND AUDIENCE PERCEPTIONS OF INFLUENCER MARKETING ON DESTINATION DIVERSION2025

    • Author(s)
      Ong Yi Xuan
    • Organizer
      The 30th Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) Annual Conference
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] “Let me show you the lesser-known Japan!” - Diverting audiences and raising awareness on overtourism.2024

    • Author(s)
      Ong Yi Xuan
    • Organizer
      2024 TTRA Asia-Pacific Annual Chapter Conference
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research

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Published: 2024-08-01   Modified: 2025-12-26  

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