Name: Cameron Stadin. Years in Japan: 10 years. Hometown: Seattle, USA. Occupation: Freelance travel agent, guide, interpreter, adviser. Field of Work: Tourism, International Business. After finishing university in Tokyo, I found my calling in the travel industry.
A love for Japan and its culture, both modern and traditional, and the abundance of beautiful nature was what drove me to realize that I wanted to share Japan with the rest of the world. Preferring the countryside to the concrete jungle, in , I packed up and moved from Tokyo to Kagoshima, the southernmost prefecture of mainland Japan.
After working 4 years with a local travel agent, I left the company to become independent. While tourism has been around globally for hundreds of years, tourism as an industry is still fairly young in Japan. This is great for potential, but awareness to how much tourism relates to daily life needs to be increased. In , over 1. If this concept can be more widely spread and accepted among the people of Japan, it will surely help in stimulating the community and economy.
Cooperative business is important for the development of an area as a travel destination. A happy traveler brings positive value to a destination, and benefits all in the long term. Connecting with locals in the countryside must be done with a win-win approach. The true beauty of Japan can be found in the countryside, which is why it is important to create activities and exchanges in the rural. Creating these interactions can bring enjoyment to all parties while protecting and passing Japanese values and culture at the same time.
Sustainable tourism is a popular topic when looking to the future. Sustainability includes a wide range of subjects including nature and the environment, protecting cultural values, creating jobs, stimulating the economy, and more.
