[Contributed article] Kyoto Tourism Data Walk 2018

Mr. H. Kimo Boukamba, a doctoral student of the Graduate School of Tourism, Wakayama University reported his experience at the Kyoto Tourism Data Walk 2018 which was organized as part of Kyoto University Spring Design School 2018.
We really appreciate that Kyoto University giving us wonderful learning opportunity.

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Kyoto Tourism Data Walk 2018

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I attended the Kyoto Tourism Data Walk 2018 which took place between the 11th to the 13th of March 2018 at Kyoto University. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Sato (Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University). The aim was to develop a vision to promote sustainable tourism in Kyoto, based on data analysis and field investigations. This objective is well aligned with one of the UNWTO¡¯s priorities which is to encourage evidence-based policy making in tourism.

My decision to join this workshop was based on two reasons: (1) to gain practical experience by participating in a community-based tourism project within the Japanese context; (2) to network with members from diverse academic and professional horizons. The program consisted of 24 participants. I was in Team C, led by Dr. Kasahara (Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies, Kyoto University). I met two other Wakayama University students, also attending the program with Teams A and B. Given that most participants were form other disciplines, our familiarity with tourism development theory proved to be useful in providing the theoretical background required to support our teams¡¯ approaches to the sustainability within the selected communities.

On the first day, we performed a Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis. During the second day, we were introduced to various statistical databases such as Meshstats, and Kyoto Open Data. In the afternoon, we performed the field investigations. On the final day, we combined the primary and secondary for an analysis, and the conclusions were presented on that day.

My impression of this workshop is that its message is very relevant, because tourism development in many instances, is done without sufficient data to inform planning and decision-making. It was also wonderful working on such a community-based project because I had previously done a similar study for my Master dissertation back in South Africa (Supply-side analysis of township tourism in Atteridgeville). Finally, my teammates were considerate, they agreed to communicate in English throughout the program in order to accommodate me. Thank you for this wonderful learning opportunity,

H. Kimo Boukamba

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¡ôKyoto Tourism Data Walk website https://www.fttsus.jp/spring2018/en/