Tourism Region Diagnostic Tool "D-NEXT" Utilized in Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan
The tourism region diagnostic tool "D-NEXT," promoted by the Japan National Tourism Organization, has been utilized in the Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan (FY2026-FY2030). This will help analyze the current status and challenges of tourism in Kazuno City and serve as a basic analysis for future tourism policies.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 18:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 10:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 10:55 (53 min after Collected)
The Japan National Tourism Organization (located in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman Masanobu Komoda, Representative Director and Chairman of Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.) announces that its tourism region diagnostic tool "D-NEXT" has been utilized in the "Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan (FY2026-FY2030)" formulated by Kazuno City (Akita Prefecture).
In this plan, "analysis by D-NEXT" is positioned as part of the analysis to grasp the current status and challenges of tourism. The analysis results were discussed at a tourism industry promotion meeting attended by stakeholders, contributing to the formulation of the tourism promotion plan.
**Tourism Region Diagnostic Tool Utilized Worldwide**
D-NEXT (Destination NEXT) is a tourism region diagnostic tool developed in collaboration with U.S. tourism region organizations. It visualizes local perceptions and evaluations of tourism from two perspectives: the strengths of the tourist destination and the status of regional collaboration.
This tool has been introduced in approximately 400 tourist destinations worldwide (as of April 2025) and is utilized for understanding the current state of tourism management and organizing issues.
In Japan, the association is also promoting its introduction and utilization support, and its use is spreading among DMOs and tourism-related organizations nationwide.
**Overview of Analysis in Kazuno City (Kazuno DMO)**
In FY2024, Kazuno City (Kazuno DMO) collaborated with the association to conduct a survey involving 151 tourism stakeholders in the city.
The analysis results confirmed the strengths of tourism resources such as World Heritage sites, hot springs, and the natural environment, while also identifying challenges such as a lack of content for attracting visitors year-round and promoting longer stays.
These results are being utilized as a basic analysis for considering the direction of future tourism policies, such as refining regional resources and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
*The "Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan" is published at the following URL:
https://www.city.kazuno.lg.jp/shisei_machizukuri/gaiyo_keikaku/2/14532.html
Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan (FY2026-FY2030) Chapter 2 "Current Status and Challenges of Kazuno Tourism" 6. Analysis by D-NEXT
**Promoting Data-Driven Tourism Management**
The association is committed to advancing tourism management in regions and promoting sustainable tourism development through data utilization initiatives, including D-NEXT.
Moving forward, we will continue to contribute to strengthening the foundation of tourism promotion by providing analysis support tailored to the challenges and characteristics of each region.
**What is "Destination NEXT"?**
A diagnostic tool for tourism regions developed by NextFactor Inc. with investment from Destinations International (U.S. DMO umbrella organization).
Supports regional consensus building.
The tool is regularly updated to reflect global tourism trends based on the results of the Futures Study conducted every two years.
Track record of implementation in approximately 400 overseas tourist destinations (April 2025).
Since FY2020, the Japan National Tourism Organization has been implementing a model project to support DMO functional enhancement by introducing Destination NEXT through the Nippon Foundation Fund Project.
■ For an overview of D-NEXT, please visit the URL below:
https://www.nihon-kankou.or.jp/dmo/d-next/
■ Contact for inquiries about D-NEXT:
Japan National Tourism Organization, Tourism Region Development and Human Resources Development Department
Osuga, Koga, Kitajima
TEL: (03)6435-8336 Email: tiiki@nihon-kankou.or.jp
■ Japan National Tourism Organization
https://www.nihon-kankou.or.jp/home/
In this plan, "analysis by D-NEXT" is positioned as part of the analysis to grasp the current status and challenges of tourism. The analysis results were discussed at a tourism industry promotion meeting attended by stakeholders, contributing to the formulation of the tourism promotion plan.
**Tourism Region Diagnostic Tool Utilized Worldwide**
D-NEXT (Destination NEXT) is a tourism region diagnostic tool developed in collaboration with U.S. tourism region organizations. It visualizes local perceptions and evaluations of tourism from two perspectives: the strengths of the tourist destination and the status of regional collaboration.
This tool has been introduced in approximately 400 tourist destinations worldwide (as of April 2025) and is utilized for understanding the current state of tourism management and organizing issues.
In Japan, the association is also promoting its introduction and utilization support, and its use is spreading among DMOs and tourism-related organizations nationwide.
**Overview of Analysis in Kazuno City (Kazuno DMO)**
In FY2024, Kazuno City (Kazuno DMO) collaborated with the association to conduct a survey involving 151 tourism stakeholders in the city.
The analysis results confirmed the strengths of tourism resources such as World Heritage sites, hot springs, and the natural environment, while also identifying challenges such as a lack of content for attracting visitors year-round and promoting longer stays.
These results are being utilized as a basic analysis for considering the direction of future tourism policies, such as refining regional resources and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
*The "Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan" is published at the following URL:
https://www.city.kazuno.lg.jp/shisei_machizukuri/gaiyo_keikaku/2/14532.html
Kazuno City Tourism Promotion Plan (FY2026-FY2030) Chapter 2 "Current Status and Challenges of Kazuno Tourism" 6. Analysis by D-NEXT
**Promoting Data-Driven Tourism Management**
The association is committed to advancing tourism management in regions and promoting sustainable tourism development through data utilization initiatives, including D-NEXT.
Moving forward, we will continue to contribute to strengthening the foundation of tourism promotion by providing analysis support tailored to the challenges and characteristics of each region.
**What is "Destination NEXT"?**
A diagnostic tool for tourism regions developed by NextFactor Inc. with investment from Destinations International (U.S. DMO umbrella organization).
Supports regional consensus building.
The tool is regularly updated to reflect global tourism trends based on the results of the Futures Study conducted every two years.
Track record of implementation in approximately 400 overseas tourist destinations (April 2025).
Since FY2020, the Japan National Tourism Organization has been implementing a model project to support DMO functional enhancement by introducing Destination NEXT through the Nippon Foundation Fund Project.
■ For an overview of D-NEXT, please visit the URL below:
https://www.nihon-kankou.or.jp/dmo/d-next/
■ Contact for inquiries about D-NEXT:
Japan National Tourism Organization, Tourism Region Development and Human Resources Development Department
Osuga, Koga, Kitajima
TEL: (03)6435-8336 Email: tiiki@nihon-kankou.or.jp
■ Japan National Tourism Organization
https://www.nihon-kankou.or.jp/home/