Thornbury Wayfinders

Thornbury Wayfinders welcomes Japanese Professor SHIOJI Yuko.

Yuko, who is a Professor at the International Tourism Department of Hannan University in Osaka, came to Thornbury to research Walkers are Welcome activities after winning funding from the Japanese government.  The title of her research is “Walking Tourism: How it drives new forms of local development.”  Her research will be used as an example at the Conference of the Japanese Footpath Association. She was welcomed to St.Mary Centre by the Manager Alan Coles and members of Thornbury Wayfinders.

During her visit she was introduced to people at the Museum, Krunch and Jigsaw.  As she was interested in finding out about the health benefits of walking activities she joined the local Walking for Health group along with Roland Howard of Age UK which is soon to take over management of the Walking Well scheme.

Walking Tourism means walking and maintaining footpaths and welcoming walkers – exactly what Thornbury Wayfinders stands for!

Her research will help all WaW towns including ours in their efforts to promote the health aspects of walking as well as trying to bring economic benefits for our local shops and businesses.