Research Achievements - Original paper -

Tourism boom on island regions in Japan during the 70s and 80s

Kantaro Takahashi

Journal of Global Tourism Research   9 ( 2 ) 145 - 148   2024.11  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This study discusses the relationship between market growth and the tourism boom that occurred in island regions from 1970 to the 80s in Japan. The Izu Islands and Okinawa were selected as the target areas for this study because they became well-known tourist destinations during this period. Monthly data were used to construct a regression model addressing the relationship between market expansion and tourism demand. The empirical results show that the domestic market has a positive effect on tourism demand in Okinawa, whereas it has a negative impact on the Izu Islands. Based on the results, peripheral areas, such as island regions, may be spotlighted as tourism destinations and domestic economic growth. However, the demand for tourism has not grown at all domestic tourism destinations. Overall, this study concludes that the influence of investment by the private sector likely causes contradictory results between regions.

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The characteristics of accommodations in the early period of tourism development: The case of Okinawa

Kantaro Takahashi

Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Tourism ( Disiplinlerarasi Akademik Turizm Dergisi )  9 ( 1 ) 19 - 24   2024.04  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This paper aims at demonstrating the characteristics of the accommodations in the early period of the tourism development and determining the relationships between these characteristics and the price before it became a well-developed tourism destination focusing on Okinawa, Japan. First, this paper conducted a principal component analysis to identify the characteristics of the tourism accommodations. Two characteristics were obtained: one is for the characteristics of Western style hotels, the other is for Japanese-style accommodations which feature in traditional Japanese style rooms. Then a regression model was carried out to estimate the relationships between the price of accommodations and the characteristics obtained from the principal component analysis. The estimation model showed that the characteristics of the Western style hotels more strongly influenced to the price, compared with those of the Japanese-style accommodations. Further, regional dummy variables were added to the model, which showed the price differences of accommodations between the cities and peripheral areas. Based on these results, Western style facilities were found to be more expensive before tourism development took off, and they were limited only in the part of areas in Okinawa.

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The determinants of airline networks in the island regions of Japan.

Kantaro Takahashi

International Journal of Business, Economics and Management ( conscientia beam )  10 ( 3 ) 36 - 43   2023.10  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This study aims to show the determinants of the airline's networks in Japanese island regions. Transportation systems are generally needed for residents in island regions to maintain their livelihood. Meanwhile, it is also necessary for people who live in outside regions such as tourists. Therefore, the transportation systems would be significant to maintain both tourism industries and the social situations in many of islands in Japan. This study, first, applied the network analysis to verify the nexus of connections among the transportation network in island regions in Japan. Degree centrality was calculated, and the result shows that some islands which is well-known as the tourism destinations located in southern part of Japan obtained many of connections to other places including other islands, as well as the mainland. Then regression model with the result of network analysis was composed and estimated by maximum likelihood method. The outcome shows that the situations of island society such as aged problem and economy in the islands would be influenced to maintain the airlines, as well as the amount of tourism demand. From these results, this paper concluded that both internal situations of island society and the tourism demand would be important to maintain island's transportation system.



DOI DOI2

Area Classification with the Tourism Demand Data by Factor Analysis - the case of Akita Prefecture-

Kantaro TAKAHASHI

Annals of the Akita Geographical Society ( The Akita Geographical Society )  36   11 - 18   2023.05

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This paper aims at discussing the seasonality and the trend of tourism demand in Akita prefectures with factor analysis. In Akita, each of municipalities promote tourism for regional development although attractions are different among them. Therefore, their seasonality has different patterns along with regional characteristics. By factor analysis, five seasonal patterns were found out. These patterns would be influenced by seasonal event in each of regions and nature environment owned by each. Moreover, this paper analyzed the change of tourism demand from 2014 to 2020. Although the numbers in 2020 were decreased in all regions, tourism demand had already been declining in some regions before Covid 19 spread. From this result, it is considered that accessibilities or location environments were affected to each of tourism demand. In conclusion, regional differences of tourism demand might be expanded among the cities.

Analysis of the Demand for Inbound Tourism and English School in Republic of Malta

Kantaro Takahashi

The Journal of Island Studies ( The Japan Society of Island Studies )  23 ( 2 ) 95 - 106   2022.10  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This article aims to discuss the demand for inbound tourism and the visits to English language schools in Malta with the statistical model. This article composed a statistical model and applied the panel data analysis to estimate the determinants of both inbound tourism and the number of participants in language schools. The result shows that variables are significant for the model of the demand for English language schools. Meanwhile, the income variable was insignificant for the inbound tourism flow, which is different from the result of previous works. These results suggest that regional influencing characteristics, such as the historical and cultural background. Because of the regional characteristics as the tourist place in EU countries, the development of the service that combined studying abroad with sightseeing by the cooperation of a language school and the tourism industry with the educational element can become the important viewpoint in the tourism industry and the development of the education industry.

DOI CiNii Research

The Nexus Between Tourism Demand and Regional Characteristics: the Case of Japanese Islands

Takahashi Kantaro

International Journal of Islands Research ( Technological University Dublin )  3 ( 1 ) 15 - 24   2022.09  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This paper explores the relationships between tourism demand and regional characteristics of the Japanese islands. A regression model was carried out for 113 islands designated by the Remote Island Development Act, which is one of the laws designed to promote rural areas in Japan. Results show that the transportation situation was related to the demand of arrival tourists, whereas the results were insignificant for the model with the response variable as lodging tourists. Meanwhile, location factors were significant for lodging tourists—that is, open sea areas have more lodging tourism demand than islands in inland sea areas. Furthermore, this study found that tourism demand was influenced by the affiliations of the prefectures. The islands belonging to prefectures that have megacities attracted more tourists than other areas. This means that islands located near small cities would have disadvantages in the tourism market. Based on these results, the degree of development in island regions, such as transportation systems, is influenced by tourism demand due to accessibility. In addition, the situation of nearby cities is also influenced by tourism demand on islands. This shows that island development would be associated with the urban areas of prefectures where the islands are located.



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The impact of travel subsidy on individual accommodations under COVID-19 pandemic

Shohei Suzuki, Yuki Okano, Kantaro Takahashi

Journal of Global Tourism Research ( International Society for Tourism Research )  7 ( 1 ) 61 - 68   2022.05  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Domestic Co-author

This study clarified the impact of subsidy from the Japanese government to revitalize the tourism industry, which has been negatively affected by COVID-19. Unlike previous studies, this analysis was performed on an accommodation basis rather than on a regional basis. We quantified the reservation status of each accommodation in Japan using the number of reservationable plans at the Online Travel Agency, finding that the number of reservations for many accommodations in 2020 decreased significantly from the previous year due to the influence of COVID-19. On the other hand, the number of accommodations with decreased numbers of reservations was limited during the period when all travels were covered by the subsidy. Moreover, binomial logistic regression analysis with reduced reservations as the dependent variable showed that consumers tended to select higher-priced accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic with or without subsidy. In addition, it was suggested that during the period covered by the subsidy, consumers select accommodations to maximize both the discount amount and the discount rate.

DOI CiNii Research

An empirical study of outbound tourism in Japan during the international tourism transformation period

Kantaro Takahashi

Journal of Global Tourism Research ( International Society for Tourism Research )  6 ( 2 ) 157 - 162   2021.11  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This paper aims at discussing outbound tourism demand during Japan's economic boom period in 1971 and 1989. First, demographical analysis results show that male travelers dominated in 1971, while the number of female and younger travelers increased by 1989. This paper also applied a regression model to demonstrate tourism demand and found that the distance friction increased in 1989. This result was influenced by tourists' preference for Asia-Pacific regions as opposed to European destinations. In terms of price competitiveness, many tourists were likely to visit more expensive countries, a finding that contradicts general theory. In this paper, it was concluded that at this time, many tourists demanded luxury goods and services with respect to overseas trips. Moreover, the economic situation, such as the increased cost of living in Japan, influenced the results.



DOI CiNii Research

The Relationship between Sea Route Network and Tourism Demand in the Island areas of Nagasaki Prefecture

TAKAHASHI Kantaro

Journal of Regional Science for Islands ( Research Institute for Islands and Sustainability, University of the Ryukyus )  2 ( 0 ) 63 - 78   2021.07  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This paper aims at discussing the relationships between sea route network and tourism demand with network analysis technique in Nagasaki prefecture which have a lot of island regions in Japan. Although tourism is one of key sector for regional economy in these regions, accessibility is a significant agenda for their development. At first, this paper shows the spatial structure of sea route network by measuring the centrality. The high centrality value is obtained in Fukue, Nakadori and Ojika islands while Sasebo city also acquired the highest value in urban region in the sea route network. Then correlation analysis between the value of centrality and tourism demand is carried out. The analyzing shows the medium correlations between them. From these, the linkage of outer islands would be significant view for tourism development in island regions of Nagasaki, as well as single development in one island.

DOI CiNii Research

The Impact of Migrants on Tourism Demand -The case of Fiji-

Takahashi K.

e-Review of Tourism Research ( e-Review of Tourism Research )  18 ( 5 ) 779 - 793   2021  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This study aimed to analyze the impact of migration stock for tourism demand in Fiji. First, we demonstrated the nexus of migration source and international tourism demand using with statistical model. Second, we focused on the relation between the purpose of travelers and seasonality. In general, the linkage of tourism demand and migration were focused on the purpose of traveling, especially “visiting friends and relatives (VFR)." Seasonal trends between VFR and holiday trips showed a resemblance. From these results, the linkage between emigration countries and Fiji affected the latter's international tourism demand. Seasonality was one of the significant points.



Comparing the Determinants of Tourism Demand in Singapore and French Polynesia: Applying the Tourism Demand Model to Panel Data Analysis

高橋環太郎

Tourism Analysis: An Interdisciplinary Tourism & Hospitality Journal ( Cognizant Communication Corporation )  25 ( 1 ) 175 - 181   2020.03  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This study explores the differences in tourism demand between French Polynesia and Singapore by applying the panel data technique. Although the tourism industry in small states tends to be the main economic activity, two of them have a different economic structure; French Polynesia is highly dependent on the tourism industry, while Singapore has several service industries. This paper applies the tourism demand model to panel data from 2008 to 2013. Different elasticities are observed in the model estimation between the two islands, such as income elasticity and transportation accessibility. Additionally, this paper compares time dummies to estimate the impact of global bankruptcy in 2008. The results show that French Polynesia has slightly declined, while Singapore has gradually increased since 2008. An implication of this study is that the demand in a destination highly dependent on the tourism industry tends to result in a relatively high-income market, but the economy is affected by global phenomena. Meanwhile, a destination that owns diversified industries is likely to have good accessibility, and the global economic impact is lower in the tourism market.



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Analysis of Tourism Characteristics and Geographical Locations for Cultural Resources in Island Regions of Nagasaki Prefecture

Kantaro TAKAHSHI

Journal of Island Studies ( Japan Society of Island Studies )  21 ( 1 ) 91 - 100   2020.02  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

DOI

Tourism demand and migration nexus in Small Island Developing States (SIDS): applying the tourism demand model in the Pacific region

高橋環太郎

Island Studies Journal ( University of Prince Edward Island )  14 ( 1 ) 163 - 174   2019.05  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This paper demonstrates the nexus of tourism demand and the migrants from small island developing states (SIDS) in the Pacific region using an econometric approach. Emigrants are an important element of island society. The tourism industry is crucial for many islands. Although the nexus of tourism and migration has been discussed in developed countries, especially in terms of Visiting Friend and Relatives tourism, this topic is more significant for (SIDS). A tourism demand model considers the regional differences of ten island states. The result shows that migrants generate tourism demand. This result, therefore, indicates that migrants should be considered one of the possibilities for generating tourism demand.



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Determinants to Configure the Economy of Tourist Industries for the Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis

高橋環太郎

e-Review of Tourism Research ( Texas A and M University )  16 ( 1 ) 1 - 14   2018  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)   Single author

This study addresses the configuration of economies dominated by the tourism industry and investigates whether tourism-led growth applies to them. The results show that small countries tend to base their economy largely on tourism. High tourism industry shared countries are also likely to have low economic openness and established domestic markets. Additionally, economically booming countries are unlikely to be tourism-dominated. In summary, the tourism-led growth hypothesis applies to small countries with established domestic economies and limited economic openness, while it may not apply to developing countries, especially those in the process of an economic boom.



The Comparison of the Determinants for Two Flows: Tourism Demand and Remittance by Immigrants in Small Islands of Pacific Region

Takahashi Kantaro

Annals of the Japan Association of Economic Geographers   64 ( 1 ) 24 - 35   2018  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)  

This study addresses the configuration of economies dominated by the tourism industry and investigates whether tourism-led growth applies to them. The results show that small countries tend to base their economy largely on tourism. High tourism industry shared countries are also likely to have low economic openness and established domestic markets. Additionally, economically booming countries are unlikely to be tourism-dominated. In summary, the tourism-led growth hypothesis applies to small countries with established domestic economies and limited economic openness, while it may not apply to developing countries, especially those in the process of an economic boom.

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Analysis of "Number of Tourist" and "Tourism Expenditure per Capita" for Small Islands Developing States.

Takahashi Kantaro

Tourism studies review   5 ( 1 ) 37 - 48   2017  [Refereed]

Research paper (journal)  

This paper discussed how tourism statistical data such as "The Number of Tourist" and "Tourist Expenditure Per Capita" have relationship with "social and economic factors" and "tourist characteristics in Small Island Developing States" with econometrics approach. <br>Almost all of islands depend on foreign trade because of geographical characteristics such as "small size", "insularity and remoteness" and "fragile nature environment", and these factors prevent to expand domestic demand. Inbound tourism is considered as service trade and tends to be important role for island economy. The author thought about analyzing relationship between tourism statistical data and characteristics of supply region or tourist behavior would be necessary for market strategy or policy-making of island economy because of mention above.<br> Two of statistical data have different point of view to discuss in past tendency. "The Number of Tourist" is taken advantage of when showing quantity of demand side, while "Tourist Expenditure per Capita" is used in discussing about average price paid by tourist for service receiving. To discuss the relationship for both indicators and several factors, this paper composed two regression models for each of indicators as dependent variables. Explanation variables prepared "Income", "Market size" and "Agglomeration" for social and economic factors of SIDS. Then other explanation variable put "Average length of stay", "Rate of Arrivals by airplane", "Rate of holiday, leisure and recreation purpose tourist" and "Occupation rate of accommodations" indicated for tourist characteristics or behavior. Besides, almost all of region had suzerain relationship although the most of islands had already declared independence, but regression model contained "Rate of tourist from the suzerain country" to indicate that the tourists from suzerain countries are still highly shared in market of island tourism.<br>Result showed "The Number of Tourist" had significant effect with "Income" and "Occupation rate of accommodations", while "Tourist Expenditure per Capita "was affected by "Agglomeration", "Average length of stay" and "Rate of tourist from suzerain country". This paper indicated that it was significant for SIDS as the supply side of the tourism to discuss the relationship with several factors mentioned above and two of tourism statistical data when talking about market strategy or policy-making of island tourism.

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