THE ROLE OF THE IMAGES OF JAPAN AND ITS PREFECTURES IN THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF JAPAN AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

Alexandra S Stegnienko,Irina S Tikhotskaya,Shizuko Kato

doi:10.24057/2071-9388-2018-11-2-5-16

Alexandra S Stegnienko, Irina S Tikhotskaya + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2018-11-2-5-16

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Abstract

The article deals with the analysis of the tourist destination images of Japan and its prefectures and contains the results of the research carried out both based on examination of official Japanese statistics and tourist literature in Japanese, English and Russian and social polls in Russia and field studies in Japan. In this paper we present the results of the research conducted by the specially created for this work original method of tourist literature review that allowed us to select prefectures most rich in different tourist images and to develop a typology of Japanese prefectures. To present day the research of such kind is a unique one not only about Japan but on the whole as well.

Highlights

In the postindustrial economy the role of tourist destination images (TDI) in the development of the territories has been increasing greatly
According to Lawson and Baud-Bovy (1977) tourist destination image is the expression of all objective knowledge, impressions, prejudice, imaginations and emotional thoughts an individual or group might have of a particular place
Tourism is quickly turning into a driver of Japanese economy

Summary

Introduction

In the postindustrial economy the role of tourist destination images (TDI) in the development of the territories has been increasing greatly. According to Lawson and Baud-Bovy (1977) tourist destination image is the expression of all objective knowledge, impressions, prejudice, imaginations and emotional thoughts an individual or group might have of a particular place. It encompasses both the personal images and the stereotyped images shared by groups.”To some extent images as a territory resource have become as important as natural resources and industrial capacities. Despite the fact that Japan can boast by a lot of things that could not be seen anywhere else it is not such a popular destination among people travelling to foreign countries. In our research we aimed at analyzing the stereotypes of the perception of Japan, the problems that hinder more intensive inward tourism and measures aiming at overcoming them and improving the appeal of the country (Tihotskaya and Stegnienko 2015)

Materials and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusion