Dear Colleagues,

See these links here for 2 new research articles on Japan's tourism that might be of importance to you and your students.

Austin Uzama


Title: Sex Tourism: A Match Through Japan's Romance Dori (Street)
Source: Tourism Analysis, Volume 16, Number 6, 2011 , pp. 677-692(16)
Publisher: Cognizant Communication Corporation http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ta/2011/00000
016/00000006/art00004

Abstract:
This article conveys the reality that Japan constitutes a sex tourist destination. Research method involved participant observation and interviews with sex tourists. Findings suggest, on one hand, that the sex industry continues to grow, irrespective of whether there is an economic recession and, on the other hand, that the younger the sex worker, the higher sex tourists are willing to pay for his/her services. This article advocates no ethical condemnation of the "sexatainment" industry in Japan and, as such, maintains a morally neutral stance. It recognizes societal ambivalent regard of sex business; it does however attempt to provoke awareness that although this trade, which is as old as mankind although considered by many as the dark side of tourism, in Japan, as in other countries; it certainly contributes to general economic gain. This benefit spreads across a broad spectrum of the economy; from transportation to manufacturing and other industrial sectors. It is also felt even in schools of higher learning.
Keywords: SEX TOURISM; INTERNATIONAL TOURIST; TOURISM IN JAPAN; JAPAN TRAVEL; SEX IN JAPAN


Title: Yokoso! Japan: Classifying Foreign Tourists to Japan for Market Segmentation
Source: Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group LLC.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19368623.201
1.615016#preview

Abstract:
This article reports that there are distinctly different types of foreign tourists who visit "destination Japan" for various different reasons.
While it is correct, in essence, to generally group domestic tourists in Japan, it is not necessarily correct to assume the same for foreign tourists-that is, to assume group homogeneity. Using a qualitative research method, this research classifies the various types of foreign tourists to Japan using their motives and behaviors as descriptive criteria to guide tour planners and Yokoso! Japan marketers, when targeting international tours. The research further identifies the source markets and their regions, which also helps to segment the groups. This is the first research in and on Japan to use a purely qualitative research process to classify foreign tourists to Japan in order to formulate an effective marketing plan.
Keywords:
Japan travel, Yokoso! Japan, international destination marketing, market segmentation, tourists' typology, tourists' classification