Hisa Morisugi

A Model of Multidestination Travel: Implications for Marketing Strategies

Because tourists derive utility from the enjoyment of destination characteristics, Lancasters approach is putatively appropriate to address the particular structure of the tourism industry. Most research efforts regarding tourism destination, including those applying Lancasters model, specifically address the choice of a single destination. This article is intended to explain multiple destination choice using Lancasters characteristics model and a discussion of model implications of some marketing strategies for destinations as well as for tour operators. The model developed herein explains that packages of multiple destinations can create preferable combinations of characteristics for certain travelers. Furthermore, the model provides useful strategies for tour operators in combining destinations into a travel menu or package.

Proposal of a benefit incidence matrix for urban development projects

Abstract This paper proposes a matrix called a benefit incidence matrix which represents the structure of benefit incidence derived from various urban development projects with special attention to a change in environmental quality. The matrix consists of the beneficiaries and cost sharers, expressed by columns, and the items of benefits and costs, expressed by rows. The associated ( i , j ) element of the matrix expresses the amount of benefits or costs with respect to the item ( i ) of the beneficiary or cost burdener ( j ), so that the social efficiency and equity of the project can easily be discussed.

Forms of Utility Function for Residential Behavior Analysis and Neighborhood Benefits Estimation

The main objective of this paper is to answer the question of what form of utility function is best for forecasting residential behavior and estimating the benefits of various neighborhood changes. This question is a key factor when consistently analyzing the impacts of residential environmental changes on residential behavior and measuring the benefits, because the magnitude and sensitivity of such impacts and benefits vary with the specified utility function forms. In this paper, first, residential behavior is formulated and then benefits of residential environmental changes are rigorously defined emphasizing the importance of estimating the utility function. Second, four utility function forms, namely, linear, log-linear, CES (constant elasticity of substitution), and VES (variable elasticity of substitution), are adopted, and a method for estimating the parameters of the specified utility functions is proposed. Based on a case study, it is concluded that the CES form is best in terms both of analyzing residential behavior and of estimating the benefits of various neighborhood changes.

NOx Reduction Effects of the Policy to Reduce Diesel Automobiles and its Influence on Price Change

With NOx emissions being greater from diesel than gasoline engines the possibility is being considered in Japan of reducing the number of diesel vehicles. This paper describes a model which predicts the number of diesel vehicles and NOx volume and the impact of policies to reduce diesel vehicles. The impact on cars and small trucks is considered. Three policies are tested: a) an end to the production of diesel vehicles, b) an increase in diesel oil price and c) an upper age limit on the use of diesel vehicles. The results are discussed with particular reference to the effect on commodity prices. The final recommendation is that fuel prices be increased by 120%. For the covering abstract see IRRD 883195.

POST-EVALUATION OF THE JAPANESE RAILWAY NETWORK, 1875-1940.

Japan experienced high economic growth during the Meiji era and after the Second World War. In the former period forms of social overhead capital were supplied by national policy (e.g., fukoku-kyohei (national and military strength) and shokusan-kogyo (increase of national production)). Therefore, the impact of social overhead capital upon economic growth is clear (Nakamura, 1980). In particular, we believe that the impact of the railway network upon economic growth is of great importance.