Guest comment: Japan needs our support, says specialist operator
Two months after northeast Japan was hit by the twin disasters of a massive earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami, the founder of UK-based Japan travel specialist InsideJapan Tours Simon King reflects on how the country’s tourism industry is coping.
"Throughout this extraordinary time, InsideJapan Tours has had clients, staff and friends in the country and myself and co-founder Alastair Donnelly have travelled separately to Japan recently to visit tour leaders, guest house owners and business partners to show support and to survey the situation.
"Reconstruction across the Tohoku region (where the tsunami struck) is in full swing; elsewhere in Japan – where this beautiful land is physically unaffected – life continues as normal. One major difference is the lack of tourists, especially noticeable this year during the famous cherry blossom season, traditionally Japan’s busiest time for welcoming overseas visitors.
“It’s important to put the size of Japan into context for people so they can draw their own conclusions about travelling to Japan. Famous cherry blossom-viewing sites, ancient Kyoto and the castle-town of Kumamoto, are 465 miles (distance from London to Dundee) and 915 miles (distance from Penzance to the Shetland Islands) from Fukushima.
"While a number of our tailor-made clients understandably cancelled their Japan trips booked for the March-May period, some have not changed their plans and many chose to rebook for later dates.
"Some had understandable concerns because they felt that perhaps the locals would be resentful of them being there but this was not the case.
"InsideJapan Tours took a decision to continue to operate approximately 70% of our small group tours from March through May at reduced numbers. It is important for us to get people over to Japan; we have always been confident that the majority of Japan was safe to travel to and that our clients’ enjoyment of their trip would not be compromised.
“Japan needs tourism to support local economies. At InsideJapan Tours, we see it as our duty to continue supporting the family-run guest houses and traditional restaurants that we have worked with over the last 10 years, without whom InsideJapan Tours could not exist.
"InsideJapan Tours has so far raised more than £21,000 for a Japanese charity called Civic Force which is working directly with the disaster victims. And, as part of its continued efforts to assist, InsideJapan Tours is working towards offering clients the chance to volunteer and become physically involved with the relief effort on the ground.
“This may not be for everyone, but some clients are expressing a desire to head to the Tohoku region to help in any way they can. The sense of fulfilment and of giving something back to Japan, after undoubtedly receiving wonderful hospitality during travels in the country, will be unforgettable.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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