Destination management organizations are spreading across Japan against a backdrop of expectations for regional revitalization, especially stimulating local economies through promoting tourism. The majority of DMOs seek to contribute to regional revitalization by playing a public interest role as non-profit corporations.
However, though small in number, there are also DMOs which seek to contribute to regional revitalization either as corporations, or by establishing corporations to manage projects in communities.
This special feature focuses on this type of “corporate DMO.” Why were DMOs as corporations needed in communities, and what sort of organizations and projects are they using to revitalize communities? We explore the realities, future challenges, and outlook through interviews of the local stakeholders and experts involved in establishing them.