Event organisers steer clear of Japan
The impact of the earthquake and tsunami on Japan’s travel sector is beginning to be revealed with several Japanese organisations cancelling their exhibiting space at IT&CM China in Shanghai this week.
Eleven Japanese organisations cancelled their booths, significantly reducing the amount of space occupied by Japanese companies.
Among those cancelling were the Convention and Visitors Bureaus from Osaka, Tokyo, Gifu and Yokohama.
Darren Ng, managing director TTG Asia Media, said the organisers had sympathy for those destinations affected by the tsunami. “We allowed them to pull out, it was unavoidable,†he said.
The Japan National Tourism Organisation is participating at IT&CM China and is telling its trade partners that many parts of Japan are unaffected by the earthquake disaster.
Said JNTO president, Tadatoshi Mamiya, “We are deeply concerned that this will not only affect Japan’s tourism industry directly, but will also (hurt) our industry partners around the world.â€
Already there is a clear indication from MICE planners that Japan will not be considered for the rest of 2011.
Planners are switching booked groups to alternative destinations in response to clients’ fears over the safety of Japan’s nuclear reactors damaged in last month’s earthquake.
Ian Jarrett
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