Message from the Center Director

We, Center for Advanced Tourism Studies (CATS) recognize our mission as a contribution to the advancement of tourism studies in Hokkaido University mainly through Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies by implementing comprehensive advanced research on “Co-creation of Value,” “Cooperation with Communities,” and “International Contribution”, and in addition, commitment to the resolution of diverse issues of the 21st Century.

Specifically, CATS works on tourism-based regional revitalization, transformation of the tourism industry, lifestyle innovation, international cooperation and development on tourism, among others, to contribute to the world peace, new culture creation, and realization of a mature society.

Under the principle above, we are focusing on implementation of studies and research on “tourism creation” and promoting joint studies, networking with higher education and research institutions, and researchers, in a comprehensive and advanced manner.

At the same time, we are aiming to becoming a Center of Excellence of tourism in Japan and in the world as an institute for advanced studies, by collaborations with industries and society and archiving various information regarding tourism and its dissemination.

Takayoshi Yamamura
Director, Center for Advanced Tourism Studies

Mission as a leading tourism organization

Initiatives for establishing a COE in the field of tourism

CATS aims to become a Center of Excellence in tourism studies and, together with other national research institutions, works to further tourism promotion and collaboration. The Center sponsors a study group on Tourism Creation (CATS Cooperative Research Society), which furthers academic exchange between researchers in the Tourism Studies fields.

Efforts to become a University Regional Collaboration Center (COC) in tourism

CATS seeks to be a Center of Community in Hokkaido, and utilizes cooperation agreements with local governments and public organizations to carry out joint projects that encourage regional development through tourism. We also work with high schools and universities, especially those schools designated as SSH (Super Science High School) and SGH (Super Global High School) by the Ministry of Education, to educate students about topics related to tourism.

Efforts to Establish an International Hub for Tourism Research

CATS aims to serve as an international hub for tourism research, fostering scholarly exchange and collaborative research across national and cultural boundaries. Through partnerships with universities and research institutions worldwide, the development of international research networks, and the dissemination of research findings at major academic conferences, the Center contributes to the advancement of tourism studies. By engaging with diverse perspectives and tourism practices around the world, CATS promotes intellectual dialogue and explores emerging challenges and opportunities in tourism research.

Partnership Agreement

• Niseko Town (September 14, 2010)
• The Hokakido Bank, Ltd. (March 29, 2011)
• Shirakawa Village (Gifu Prefecture) (February 8, 2012)
• Biei Town (April 12, 2012)
• Furano City (September 3, 2012)
• Nanto City and PARUS (September 30, 2015)
• Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (July 8, 2016)
• Konkuk University, Research Institute of Glocal Culture Strategy / BK21-plus Fusion Communication and Cultural Contents Experts Development Service (South Korea) (February 7, 2017)
• CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy (Spain) (June 1, 2017)
• Nomura Co., Ltd (July 19, 2017)
• Hamanasu Foundation (October 25, 2018)
• Explore the Wonderland Eastern Hokkaido DMO（April 7, 2022）
• GOLDWIN Inc. (September 29, 2023)

History

Apr. 2006	●	CATS established
Apr. 2007	●	Tourism creation major established in Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies
	●	Donated course on regional tourism management (East Japan Railway Company and Hokkaido Railway Company) established
Apr. 2010	●	Kubota donated research unit for agricultural land rehabilitation and local enterprises (Kubota Corporation) established
Sep. 2010	●	Comprehensive partnership agreement with Niseko Town, Abuta, Hokkaido signed
Nov. 2011	●	JICA technical cooperation project (in Ethiopia) launched
Feb. 2012	●	Comprehensive partnership agreement with Shirakawa Village in Ohno, Gifu Prefecture signed
Apr. 2012	●	Comprehensive partnership agreement with Biei Town, Kamikawa, Hokkaido signed
Aug. 2012	●	JICA technical cooperation project (in Jordan) launched
Sep. 2012	●	Comprehensive partnership agreement (three parties) with Furano City and Hokkaido University Research Faculty of Agriculture signed
Jun. 2015	●	JICA development survey project (in Zimbabwe) launched
Sep. 2015	●	Industry-academia-public comprehensive partnership agreement (three parties) with Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture and PARUS signed
Jul. 2016	●	Industry-academia partnership agreement with Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters signed
Feb. 2017	●	Partnership agreement with Konkuk University Research Institute of Glocal Culture Strategy signed
Jun. 2017	●	Departmental partnership agreement with University of Barcelona School of Hotel Management and Tourism signed
	●	Certified “Destination Manager Training Program” established in Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies
Jul. 2017	●	Industry-academia partnership agreement with NOMURA Co., Ltd.
Oct. 2018	●	Partnership agreement with Hamanasu Foundation
Mar. 2019	●	JICA technical cooperation project (in Peru) launched
Apr. 2022	●	Partnership agreement with Explore the Wonderland Eastern Hokkaido DMO
Sep. 2023	●	Comprehensive partnership agreement with GOLDWIN Inc.

Graduate School (International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies)

See the website of Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies for details about the tourism creation major including the entrance information and offered subjects.

Accredited course program, “Destination Manager Training Program”

Starting in June 2017, Graduate School is offering courses called “Destination Manager Training Program,” which is the country’s first accredited course program aimed toward training human resources for destination management organization. The curriculum is designed to teach students technical knowledge of the tourism region development process, from finding regional resources to searching for prospective customers, while instilling the high-level practical skills that are demanded of those who are at the center of destination management organization. Students in this program will spend a year talking required subjects of graduate school master’s courses, while receiving practical training by employees of active travel agencies and airline companies, or experts such as patent attorneys, lawyers, accountants, etc. for this program. After fulfilling a defined set of requirements, students will receive a university president’s certificate of graduation and the title of Destination Manager by the school.

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