Perceptions of Multiple Stakeholders about Environmental Issues at a Nature-Based Tourism Destination: The Case of Yakushima Island, Japan

Yakushima Island, Japan, faces complex environmental challenges due to rising tourism and deer population management. Stakeholders, including residents, tourism practitioners, and management authorities, perceive increased trash as the most significant environmental impact of tourism. However, views on deer populations vary: while authorities aim to control overpopulation to protect vegetation, tour guides report a decline in deer sightings, which disappoints tourists expecting to encounter them. This study highlights the intricate relationship between tourism demands, environmental conservation, and stakeholder perceptions, emphasizing the need for balanced management strategies that address both ecological and experiential concerns.

Adewumi, I. B., Usui, R., & Funck, C. (2019). Perceptions of Multiple Stakeholders about Environmental Issues at a Nature-Based Tourism Destination: The Case of Yakushima Island, Japan. Environments, 6(8), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments6080093