New virus Serious tourism impact Accommodation cancellations in Shizuoka More than 90,000

New virus Serious sightseeing impact Cancellation in Shizuoka more than 90,000 people February 7 16:26

As the spread of the new coronavirus spreads, cancellations of accommodations in Shizuoka Prefecture exceeded at least 90,000 as of the 5th, according to a survey by the prefecture tourism association.

That said, the number of reservations canceled at accommodations in the prefecture during the three months from January to March has reached at least 90,277 for five days.

Cancellation is mainly for group guests from China. By month, February was the largest at 53,675, with 28,524 in March and 8078 in January.

By local government, Hamamatsu City accounts for about 42,000, or nearly half of the total, followed by Omaezaki City, with more than 16,000, and Kakegawa City, with more than 8,000, around Shizuoka Airport, where Chinese flights operate. It means that there are many cancellations at the center.

It is said that the prefecture tourism association has expressed concerns about lodging facilities, saying that the prospect of ending will not be established and the impact on future sales will be large.

In connection with this, Shigeru Kawaguchi, Chief of the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Policy Division, said at a press conference, "I would like to respond to facilities with severe management by introducing the prefecture's loan system."

Lunar New Year Kansai Chinese customers decrease by 30%

The number of Chinese passengers entering Kansai Airport during the major holidays of the Chinese New Year from last month, the Chinese New Year, was reduced by about 30% compared to last year. It is thought to be the effect of the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

According to the Osaka Immigration and Resident Management Bureau Kansai Airport Branch, approximately 52,500 Chinese tourists arrived from Kansai Airport during the consecutive holidays of the Chinese New Year "Spring Festival" from the 24th to the 30th of last month.

This is a decrease of more than 20,000, or 28%, compared to last year's "Spring Festival" of about 73,000.

Looking at the total number of foreigners, including countries other than China, the number of people who arrived during the same period was 160,700, which was about 30,000 more than last year's 190,500. 16% less.

The number of foreigners entering Kansai Airport during the consecutive holidays of the Spring Festival is increasing year by year, and since 2012 when statistics began to be collected, it is the first time that it has decreased compared to the previous year.

According to the Osaka Immigration and Immigration Bureau Kansai Airport Branch, "it seems to have decreased this much due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection. I would like to see the trend going forward."