The conventional development of tourism addressed only by a narrow region called kanko-chi (tourist site) is said to pose limitations to the achievement of objectives, and therefore the areas called Kanko-ken are arranged to promote an individual approach exerting the originality and ingenuity of the area referred to as a "wide area" in a comprehensive, integrated manner.
従来の観光地と呼ばれる狭い地域だけが取り組んだ観光振興では目指す目的の達成に限界があるとされ、このことから広域の圏と呼ぶその地域の創意工夫を生かした主体的な取組を総合的かつ一体的に推進するため観光圏と呼ぶものを設定している。