Acceptance Process of Ecotourism in Amami Oshima

Ecotourism in Amami Oshima, part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage candidate site Amami-Ryukyu, was initially driven by top-down administrative policies aimed at supporting local economic development and promoting biodiversity-based tourism. However, the acceptance process revealed a disconnect between official policy and grassroots practices: while local guides had been offering nature-focused tours since the 1990s, they did not actively identify their work as 'ecotourism,' viewing it simply as an extension of existing outdoor experiences. This study highlights how administrative recognition of ecotourism in Amami Oshima was more about policy alignment with national heritage goals than a genuine shift in local tourism practices.

SONG, D.-J. (2017). Acceptance Process of Ecotourism in Amami Oshima. The Journal of Island Studies, 18(1), 35–54. https://doi.org/10.5995/jis.18.1.35