Japan inbound tourism plummets by 93 percent
Japan saw its biggest plunge yet in inbound tourist numbers during the month of March.
Japanese tourism officials say just 193,000 people arrived, representing a massive drop of 93%.
It is the largest ever decline, and significantly more than the 62% drop after the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck in 2011.
It is actually the sixth consecutive month of decline, which began before the pandemic due to a trade and diplomatic row with major inbound market South Korea.
The US had the largest number of visitors during March but even the US market was down 87% from a year earlier, according to data from the Japan Tourism Agency
Japan had banned travellers from China, and more than 70 countries and territories to help contain the spread of the virus.
"As the number of flights has declined more than 90 percent and cruise ships are not operating, the severe situation will continue," Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Hiroshi Tabata said.
The pandemic has also led to the postponing of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games which has been pushed back to next year.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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