Tourism Development of Aso Meadows and New Movements

Abstract

The Aso Meadows, which have been maintained as grasslands for stock farming, have played an important role in tourism around Mt. Aso. However, due to the structural changes in agriculture, decline in population, and aging, the meadow area is decreasing. Against these backdrops, there is a growing interest in meadows and re-evaluating them. New movements, such as voluntary grassland conservation, and green tourism to facilitate communication between the cities and the countryside, are rising. This paper deals with new styles and trends in tourism development concerning the Aso Meadows by analyzing these new movements.