1 . Confirmation of the implementation Of international tourism exchange policies by local governments.
The situation was as follows according to a questionnaire conducted prior to the symposium.
(1) Local governments are highly aware of international tourism promotion.
・Percentage of the local governments implementing measures for attracting foreign tourists are as follows. Already in place: 36.2 %
Intending on putting into effect: 15.9 %
Expressed interest: 52.8 %
(2) Positive measures should be taken to attract more foreign tourists.
・ More than half of the local governments are interested in such measures but as yet have not implemented any. Even those which have already been implemented concentrate on treating the foreign tourists who have come to Japan, and few local governments has implemented measures for active tourism advertisement and promotion abroad.
2. Point of discussion
(1) The creation of an international tourism exchange strategy by individual communities to revitalize those areas.
・ Transformation and development of a community require not only a sharing of functions and intercommunity exchange within a country, but also strategic development based on global exchange.
(2) It is necessary to not only improve resources for international tourism exchange, but also to develop tourism products.
・It is also necessary to direct tourism product development to cater to the needs of foreign tourists. Original resources and traditional culture in each community are tourism products in themselves, but in order to advertise and market these materials, they must be made to stand out in the form of products.
3. Conclusion
(1) This is an era of community transformation through global exchange. The following three promotional plans for international tourism exchange should be clarified based on the "Welcome Plan 21".
・Projects covering broader areas and including the development of new resources The development of both historic sightseeing spots and the traditional circular Kansai sightseeing route.
・Association with the travel industry
To promote sales by merchandising tourism products and providing information on them.
・Enhancement of administrative measures by local governments to connect the community and the world.
a) Provision of tourism materials based on a new theme and value.
Each community is to develop such tourism resources while improving facilities and infrastructure to promote international exchange in association with broader area tourism projects and the travel industry.
b) A "One village, one exchange" concept to promote thematic international exchange.
Each community is to create wide-spread international exchange opportunities in association with broader area tourism projects and the travel industry in order to promote deeper international exchange by narrowing the theme to the environment, the arts, or the partner cities.
