Twelve months on from the earthquake and tsunami that caused huge loss of life in Japan, tourists are starting to return.
One industry expert, Lesley Dower, claims that Tokyo’s most loved tourist spot, the Senso-ji Temple, is once again starting to show signs of life. In April last year, international tourism demand fell by a staggering 62 per cent.
After the earthquake caused damage to Fukushima nuclear plant, fears of radiation prevented tourists from going near the country. It’s not just the visitors who are concerned; a number of Tokyoites are still in shock, despite being 500 miles from Fukushima.
The Japanese Tourism Agency, however, is optimistic and believes that the sector will make a full recovery in 2012. According to a report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Japan’s travel and tourism industry will flourish further in 2012 than in 2010.
“Japan is the third-largest travel and tourism economy in the world so its health is of crucial importance to our industry across the globe,” said David Scowsill, President and CEO of the WTTC.
“Japan’s travel and tourism recovery has been much better than anyone could have anticipated 12 months ago.”
Three new budget airline carriers might also be helping Japan’s speedy tourism recovery. Peach Aviation, AirAsia Japan and Jetstar Japan are all being launched this year to become the first budget carriers to operate in the country.
Selling flights for less than a third offered by rival full-service carriers, Peach has already launched flights between Osaka and Sapporo and, later this year, will fly internationally to Hong Kong and Seoul.
(Images: yumem, Yoshikazu Takada, Le Xav, jseita)
