Revitalizing Rural Areas: Green and Blue Tourism with hints of sustainability

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Revitalizing Rural Areas Green and Blue Tourism
with hints of sustainability

• July 15-17, 2009
• World Ecotourism Conference 2009
• Laos
• Masaru Takayama
• Japan Ecolodge Association/The International
  Ecotourism Society

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Which Japan is real?
Create employment, revitalize local economy
Leave for jobs, convenience, modern life style
9 million people go to the rural areas per year
Mt. Fuji at 1,600 m
Once it was a quiet village near Mt. Fuji
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Japans Green Tourism (GT)

• GT originated in Europe
• Slow travel or vacation in the rural community
• Govt initiatives - Organization for the
  Revitalization of Urban-Rural Interchange since 92

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Japans Green Tourism (GT)

• Attractions
• Climate
• Tradition
• Life
• Culture
• Shun optimum period of a particular foodstuff

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Japans Green Tourism (GT)

• Funding
• Govt subsidies 943 million USD (FY2008)
• Investment lodge, restaurant, furniture, etc.
• Limited to farmers, foresters, and fishermen
• Flat interest rates 1.4 - 2.3 for the total
  span
• Long term payments - Up to 25 years
• Partial exemption of the registration fee on
  mortgage
• Individual loan 80 to 100 up to 18,000USD
• Corporate loan 80 to 100 up to 2 million USD

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Japans Green Tourism (GT)

• Capacity Building
• GT instructor training course
• Introductory 3days
• Instructor 4days
• Coordinator 4days
• GT rural inn workshop 2days

• Course Agenda
• Finance
• Programs
• Marketing
• Statistics at glance
• Site visits

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Japans Blue Tourism (BT)
Japans Marine Ecotourism

• Attempt to link fisheries and tourism
• Half of fishermen left since the inscription of
  the world heritage status
• Decrease in catch and salary under limited
  fishing
• Justify unproductive winter

photo credits Shiretoko Nature Foundation and
Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Association
of Rausu
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Working with the community
ecolodge workshop
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Ecolodge workshop walk-thru
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Ecovillage project in West Africa, Benin
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Collaboration with Akita International
Univ. Center for Regional sustainability
Initiatives
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I. Environmental Sustainability38
II Food and Beverage67
III Reduction of Wastes and Recycling88
IV Saving Energy and Water35
V Green Purchasing/Chemicals/Misc.30
VI Care for environment as an ecolodge50
Registered onAugust 3, 2008
Audit methodself-audit
Location Ogasawara Islands

Member lodge Condominium Heart Rock
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• Registered(Free member)Agreed to disclose the
  accomplishments regardless of the percentage
• Certified 50 (Paid member)Satisfies all
  categories 50 or more, renew membership every 2
  years
• Certified 70 (Paid member)Satisfies all
  categories 70 or more, renew membership every 2
  years
• Certified 90 (Paid member)Satisfies all
  categories 90 or more, renew membership every 2
  years

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Authorized as a certifier?
H20.6
????
??
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We are making efforts to be environmentally-sound
lodges.
Farm Inn anima-no-sato
Hokkaido
Iwaobetsu Youth Hostel
Nature Inn Porch
Wonderland
Yamanakako Village
Aomori
Condominium Heart Rock
Nagano
Yamakikan
Yamanashi
Kyoto
Tokushima
Miyama Heimat Youth Hostel
Chiiori
Ogasawara Islands
Kutsurogino-yado Tetsuya
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With experienced ecolodge partners in
many parts of the world.
Malaysia Sukau Rainforest Lodge
US Virgin Island Maho Bay
Mongolia Three Camel Lodge
Thailand Lisu Lodge
Costa Rica Rara Avis Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn
Sri Lanka Ranweli Holiday Village
Australia Cape Cassini Wilderness Retreat
Brazil Fazenda Rio Negro
Network of 10 national and 9 international lodges
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Gallery Kawasemi inn, Aso

• Sense of the place
• Unparallel tour
• Privacy/safety
• Fully guided
• Sustainability
• Cost effectiveness

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Gallery Beautiful Japan
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Challenges and Lessons

• Greenwashing
• Certification not seen worthy
• Niche market
• Public transportation not always available
• Site-specific and unique products
• Empowerment of local community a must
• Diverse tours to accommodate all ages and sex
• Long stay still not common

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References on the web

• Japan Ecolodge Association
• http//www.japan-ecolodge.org
• The International Ecotourism Society
• http//www.ecotourism.org/
• Ministry of the Environment
• http//www.env.go.jp/
• Spirit of Japan Travel
• http//www.eco-tourism.jp/
• Akita International University, Center for
  Regional sustainability Initiatives
• http//www.aiu.ac.jp/cresi/