Revitalizing local communities through tourism : contribution of NPO "Hot Nishiki"

This paper examines a nonprofit organization contribution to local economic, social and cultural revitalization through tourism activities. A school excursion program and Furusato (Home place) festival at Yamashiro District can be examples of tourism activities in this rural area. These events are currently run by the "Hot Nishiki" nonprofit Organization, the local community and local government. The emphasis of this paper is placed on how the "Hot Nishiki" got involved in the rural tourism in an effort to help local life and revitalization at Yamashiro District. The research concludes that challenges to mitigate the problems of an aging society and depopulation are being made through rural tourism. The paper clarifies the importance of local community support to the development of rural tourism as an approach to make the local community active and contribute to rural revitalization.

NPO "Hot Nishiki"

local community

revitalization

rural tourism