Aiming for “sustainable island development” through the unification of the two towns

[About Shodoshima Island]
Shodoshima, the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, Kagawa Prefecture, has recently been attracting attention from Japan and abroad as a leading destination in the field of “sustainable tourism."
Why have the two towns of Shodoshima (Tonosho Town and Shodoshima Town) decided to engage in “sustainable tourism” now?

[Crisis of “Sustainability” due to Declining Population and Over tourism]
Shodoshima Island used to be home to more than 50,000 people immediately after World War II. However, the current population is approximately 25,000 (as of October 2024). 10 years from now, the population is expected to decrease to about 18,500, and the “sustainability” of the island itself is being questioned due to the declining population and lack of human resources.
In addition, the Setouchi International Art Festival, held once every three years, has led to an increase in domestic and international tourists, and signs of over tourism were evident when the festival is held in 2019.
Against this backdrop, with the aim of making Shodoshima “an island that can be sustained by tourism” rather than “an island consumed by tourism,” the two towns began working together to create a “sustainable island” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Challenge for the international certification “Green Destinations Award"]
To let tourists from Japan and abroad know that Shodoshima is committed to “sustainable tourism,” in September 2024, the Shodoshima Tourism Association, the town of Tonosho, and the town of Shodoshima challenged the “Green Destinations Award” sponsored by GreenDestinations, an international certification organization based in the Netherlands. After judging a total of 84 items, indicators that measure the sustainability of a tourist destination, they were awarded the silver award.
This is the first time in Japan that multiple municipalities have applied for and won an award together.

[Examples of Initiatives for Creating a Sustainable Island]
The following is a partial list of examples of “sustainable tourism” initiatives that have been undertaken on Shodoshima.
・Installation of 10 types of sorting eco-stations at events on the island
・GSTC training sessions for island businesses and administrative staff (3 sessions in total)
・Establishment of “Subsidy for Sustainable Tourism Contribution Businesses” for businesses on the island
・Creation of tourism-friendly LIMEX tourism PR bags
・Creation of a pamphlet introducing sustainable tourism initiatives
・Creation of a sustainable tourism PR video to raise awareness of the marine debris problem
・Training of local resident guides in Nakayama Senmaida
・Holding beach events to promote universal tourism

[Background to date]
・2021 Shodoshima Town was selected as a model district for the “Japanese Sustainable Tourism Guideline Model Project."
・2021 Shodoshima Town selected as one of the “Top 100 Sustainable Tourism Destinations in the World in 2021."
・2022 Tonosho Town selected as a model district for the “Japan Sustainable Tourism Guideline Model Project."
・2022 Shodoshima Town selected as one of the “Top 100 Sustainable Tourism Destinations in the World in 2022."
・2023 Tunosho Town acquires the logo mark of “Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations" (JSTS-D).
・2023 Shodoshima Tourist Association becomes the centralized tourist contact point on the island.
・2024 Shodoshima Town formulates the “Shodoshima Tourism Vision,” which clearly states the town's commitment to sustainable tourism.
・2024 Shodoshima Town acquires the JSTS-D logo mark again.
・2024 Shodoshima receives the silver award at the Green Destinations Awards.

[In conclusion]
Shodoshima has begun to make strides toward creating a sustainable island, but there is still a mountain of issues to be addressed.
In order to solve these issues one by one, we need the help of local residents, tourists, and travel agencies.
We look forward to your continued understanding and cooperation in our efforts to create a sustainable island.