TOURIST PREFERENCES AND EXPECTATIONS OF URBAN PARK: A CASE STUDY IN KITAKYUSHU, JAPAN

Abstract

The quality of an urban park can be evaluated by understanding the tourist’s reasons, preferences, and expectations. This study analyzes several variables based on answers to field survey questionnaires using 425 respondents. Furthermore, Green Park, located in Kitakyushu, Japan, serves as the case study. The result found six essential variables: 1) “Playing with children” is the most popular reason for visiting this park; 2) Tourists living closer to the area frequently visit; 3) The existence is necessary; 4) The relationship between the importance and the origins of the tourists is related to a sense of place; 5) Tourist preferences are affected by seasonality; 6) The most favorite expectation is the availability of water facilities. This further can contribute to tourism development in urban parks with similar climatic and environmental characteristics.