Studies in English for Hospitality and Tourism on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K00806
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University (2022-2023); Otemon Gakuin University (2018-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Iwata Shoko 大阪医科薬科大学, 薬学部, 非常勤講師 (80771394)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岩井 千春 大阪公立大学, 国際機関教育機構, 教授 (90411389)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 熊野古道 / 観光英語 / インバウンド / 言語接遇 / ニーズ分析 / 巡礼道 / カミーノ・デ・サンティアゴ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate the current status of language services and satisfaction with them on the Kumano Pilgrimage Route, a World Heritage area experiencing a rapid increase in foreign visitors since 2015, questionnaires and interviews were conducted with lodging facilities and foreign guests.
Approximately 70% of the lodge management (n=39) expressed concerns about the English-language reception, whereas about 70% of the foreign travelers (n=89) reported satisfaction. Moreover, a survey focusing on the descriptions of meals and ingredients, identified as a point of dissatisfaction by foreign travelers, was conducted with the inns. The collected data on ingredients and dishes were reported to the local government and the DMO. Additionally, a co-authored book titled “Regional Creation and International Strategies” was published, discussing the development of administrative and DMO support mechanisms crucial for tourism support.

Free Research Field

観光教育、英語教育、ESP

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

人口減少、高齢化、限界集落といった多くの課題を抱える地域のインバウンド観光における言語接遇ニーズ分析を行った点に社会的意義がある。①高齢者の宿泊従事者の言語接遇の調査、②同地を訪れる外国人観光客の満足度調査、③同様の観光資源を持つ海外の観光地の言語接遇の調査など、多面的に言語接遇の調査を行い、その現状を明らかにした。さらにインバウンド観光を支える行政やDMOの観光支援の調査も行い、地方の世界遺産地域のインバウンド観光、さらに高齢の観光従事者の言語接遇に応用できる事例研究となった。