On September19th, we finished making a presentation for JATA World Tourism Congress & Travel Fair at Tokyo Big Sight. At that point our internship came to an end.
The starting point of this activity was a special lecture lecture titled “Tourism Industry Theory.” The lecturer, Mr. Ochi, an executive director of Kinki Nihon Tourist (KNT), explained how he succeeded in operating a direct charter flight to Rota Island, which is located between Guam and Saipan. He also described several possibilities for new destinations and the progress of merchandising Rota Island. He then asked our assistance in creating a new project. Ten members of Professor Miyashita's seminar raised our hands immediately. Our main theme is sightseeing business and developing areas, and we took on the challenge of setting up a project to produce new tour for Rota Island. Our challenge was to consider how we could accomplish 40 flights with travellers in a year and how we could satisfy tourists in the field from students' point of view. It was also the first time for KNT to have an internship program.

Training was comprised of field work and research, such as inspecting tourist facilities, including beaches and hotels; visiting the Northern Marianas goverment; and visiting homes of members of the Chamorro tribe. I will never forget the lovely landscape of bird sanctuary and the sparkling celestial blue of the sea around the island. The beautiful sight is still strongly etched in my memory. Our challenge was to distinguish Rota Island from other resorts and think out a plan for drawing tourists, including repeaters, without significantly changing the enviroment or the surroundings. It was really hard work but it was also really exciting.

Before I took part in the internship, to be honest, I wondered whether the tasks involved in such an internship might be superficial and I wondered if it was just a means to bring students together. However, in fact they cooperated with us, from training in advance to making a presentation so that we could produce good results. As a result, I am satisfied with the perseverance of the sightseeing industry and their attempts to create a pleasurable experience.
Above all I am proud of myself for participating enthusiastically with the KNT staff and 10 seminar members aiming for success in training during the summer of my third year in university.