WAKAYAMA UNIVERSITY

Country: Japan

Website: http://www.wakayama-u.ac.jp/tourism/en

Wakayama University is the only national University in Japan to offer tourism studies through a PhD, pioneering a path that fosters next generation leaders who contribute to furthering tourism research in Japan at the highest international standard.

With the Japanese government prioritisng tourism (Kanko) as a strategic industry and has been making efforts, together with the private sector, to promote Japan as a Tourism-based Nation. Following the destination of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2004), Wakayama Prefecture declared itself a Tourism-based Prefecture and has been actively engaged in community revitalisation, with tourism at its core.

Wakayama University plans to launch their new Center for Tourism Research (April 2016), which will initiate research opportunities through collaborative networking and exchange in Japan and beyond. The Center will build capacity with the Faculty of Tourism, focusing on best practice in tourism development and management under UNWTO´s guidance.