Why Tour Guiding is Important for Ecotourism: Enhancing Guiding Quality with the Ecotourism Promotion Policy in Japan |
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Authors: | Naoko Yamada |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management , Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis , 901 West New York Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA katura3@hotmail.com |
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Abstract: | The Ecotourism Promotion Policy in Japan requires tour guiding to be employed, although it provides little rationale for it. This paper reviews the literature to illustrate why tour guiding is important for achieving policy and ecotourism goals in order to support this requirement. An overview of ecotourism policy in Japan is provided, contributions of tour guiding to achieving the policy and ecotourism goals are described, and approaches to strengthening current practices along with the policy are discussed. It is suggested that non-profit organizations offer training to impart knowledge about guiding roles and interpretation at a national level and that ecotourism promotion councils teach knowledge about ecotour products and tourists at a regional level. |
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Keywords: | ecotourism tour guiding interpretation Ecotourism Promotion Policy Japan |
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