Supporting Power of Izena Island, Okinawa, Selected for its Acceptance System for School Trips to Residential Accommodations

When incorporating overnight stays in school excursions, the biggest concern is "will they really be able to handle the situation on site? The biggest concern when planning a school excursion to Izena Island is the "sense of security at the site". On Izena Island, the entire community is working together to build a system for accepting students, teachers, and guardians so that everyone can feel at ease. Not only the host families, but also the town office, tourist association, medical care, and transportation, all work together to provide "island-wide support. This is the solid reason why Izena Island continues to be chosen as a host island.

What is the historical background behind the current selection of private accommodations for educational tours?

In recent years, the nature of school excursions has changed dramatically. Students are now expected to learn not only to visit theme parks and sightseeing spots, but also to nurture their "human ability" through interaction with local communities. Homestay programs are attracting attention as an educational style that matches this trend. In Okinawa, in particular, it is beginning to take root as a method for fostering 21st century skills such as independence, empathy, and understanding of diversity through "community immersion experiences.

Not just host families.
A system that accepts students from "the whole community

On Izena Island, we do not leave the accommodation to the host family. On the island, there are "educational tour coordinators" and "coordinating coordinators" who manage everything from preliminary meetings to the day's progress and emergency response. The private accommodations are accepted not on a per-home basis, but on a regional basis, with the local community taking full responsibility.

Differences in on-site response capabilities that can only be tested in the event of an emergency

Unexpected situations such as illness or sudden changes in the weather are bound to occur during a trip. On Izena Island, cooperation with medical institutions and alternative plans are prepared in advance, and there is a system in place to calmly respond to irregular situations. In fact, many guests say that even when unexpected problems occurred, they were handled flexibly and courteously, leading to a high level of satisfaction.

The "ability to collaborate" to reduce the burden on teachers is another reason for support.

School trips inevitably place a heavy burden on teachers. On Izena Island, we are able to coordinate all aspects of transportation, lodging, and experience programs in a single package, allowing teachers to focus on "watching over the students" with peace of mind. We have received comments from several schools and other prefectures that the preparation was smooth, and the practical aspects of the program have also been highly evaluated.