Japan earthquake, radiation threats take toll on tourism

Daniel Koffler, 28, and his fiancée married Saturday. The couple had planned a 17-day "fantastic honeymoon" which was to begin in Tokyo next week, includes four other Asian cities, and finally in the Maldives.

On the advice of travel agent, however, Koffler annulled part of Tokyo.

Don't miss these Travel stories

Stuck at the airport? 10 best diversions for kids

The amenities and activities at these family-friendly airports can make a long delay downright desirable. Full story

Hawaii worries about Japan – and its touristsParents plan playdates during family vacationsSome divorced families still vacation togetherBike cafés brewing in surprising places

"If the earthquake had just, quite frankly, I would have gone," said Koffler, Vice MetSchools, an education company in New York. "But radiation given me pause. I can not take chances. I want to have kids one day."

The devastating earthquake and tsunami, a growing number of dead and the search for missing persons and an ongoing threat of nuclear radiation caused many travelers to cancel trips to Japan.

"The implications for business organization is absolutely tremendous. We can not even imagine," said Johnson Yip, president of Pacific PROTOUR, travel agent, who canceled all the current tours and excursions in the near future in Japan.

And perceptions that would discourage future visitors.

"These are incalculable. You do not even know what you have lost," Yip, he said. "I really do not have a clear idea of what the near future will bring. It's a fluid situation."

Fears that the Japanese government is withholding facts and degradation risks – and that media reports are exaggerated the nuclear threat and is concerned about power supplies of food and transport – leaving many Americans worry about their lack of reliable data .

Business as usual? "Some of the questions I get from customers indicates that the media is portraying that the whole country is ready to sink into the ocean," said Mike Roberts, owner of Samurai Tours, a provider of small group tours and independent self-guided packages.

"Apart from northern Japan and some problems in Tokyo, the rest of Japan is business as usual», said Roberts. "But this message is not getting out to the public. The Japanese people I know very upset about it. "

"Our tour begins this weekend had to be canceled," he said. "But this time, we are still planning to operate all other tours."

The NTA, a trade group representing about 3,000 tour operators and other travel agencies, and it belongs to Roberts, updates its members regularly travel advisory information about airports, public transportation, events and popular destinations, the website of the Japan National Tourism Organization.

It's A Snap!

Check out the latest photos from msnbc.com readers and vote for your favorite. When you're done, upload your own vacation shots. Find us on Facebook

The family was to travel to Japan on Saturday, but the relatives of his wife, who is Japanese, who live in Japan, advised them against it. Not for reasons of personal safety, he added, but as the country struggles to recover. Extra people, he said, "would be an added burden."

He also said that loopholes in security can sometimes prevent people from canceling.

"It is a great concern, as the family," especially after shock U.S. State Department Thursday said Barbara Nichuals, the agent Abzug and president of Bayside Travel and Gramatan Travel, in Westchester County, NY

"He had his heart in Tokyo," said Debbie Cushing, the mother of Jay. "CIEE has not made a final decision yet," he said, "but day by day, the news is grimmer and grimmer, and [the trip] is less likely."

Although disappointed, Jay said: "I'm more worried about the country than about the prospects for me. Not for me. "

Story: 10 favorite cherry blossom festivals

Organizers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, which begins March 26 said he did not know if more people will watch this year. The festival is a celebration honoring 16-spring and cherry blossom trees were a gift from Japan nearly a century ago in 1912.

"Our relationship with Japan is really at the heart of the festival," that annually draws about one million visitors, "said Danielle Piacente, Communications Manager of the festival.

On March 24 there will be a walk and fundraising event, and begins Friday, the festival will have a donation page in cooperation with the American Red Cross for the relief effort. "I think people are looking at the festival as a way to have solidarity in such a terrible time of tragedy," Piacente said.

Story: 6 tips for enjoying DC's cherry blossom festival

"While sympathetic to the events" in Japan, said Jim Strong, president of Strong Travel Services, a Dallas-based luxury travel agency, "the best thing you can do is to go as a tourist. Staying away is harmful for everyone from travel agents to restaurant owners and workers. "

Koffler, customer Ezon, who is now married, said he is confident he will visit Japan in the future.

"We created the nuclear energy. We can build, "he said.

More Source:

Japan's earthquake, radiation threats take toll on tourism - Travel ...
Japan's earthquake, radiation threats take toll on tourism
Japan's earthquake, radiation threats take toll on tourism
Home Li_S. World Politics Business Sports Entertainment Health ...

Related News:

Details :
Submited at Sunday, March 20th, 2011 at 10:00 am on News by blum
Comment RSS 2.0 - leave a comment - trackback

Leave Comment Here...