Travel
Tourism picking up pace in Japan after earthquake
By Gu Xin (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-29 11:05
 |
Large Medium Small |
 |
|
Miwako Sasaki, the General Manager of Sheraton Sapporo Hotel in Japan’s Hokkaido Prefecture,sat for an exclusive interview with the China Daily website in Beijing May 18, 2011. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] |
It has been two months since the devastating earthquake in Japan. The tourism industry was severely struck, but according to Miwako Sasaki, the General Manager of Sheraton Sapporo Hotel in Japan’s Hokkaido Prefecture, business is reviving. “Right after the earthquake, every hotel was affected. There were no customers at all.” Though not yet back to their normal level, business is definitely getting better. “Tokyo Disney Resort and Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel are already operating as usual, and those in Sapporo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima are all gradually getting back on track.”
GM Sasaki arrived in Beijing on May 18 for the Starwood Expo of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. "We have been an active participant in disaster relief. One key initiative was implemented through the Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG) Japan Disaster Relief donation program right after the earthquake on March 11.” SPG members from around the globe can participate by donating their Starpoints and Starwood will match the equivalent cash as a donation to the American Red Cross.
"Local based activities for relief fund is also undergoing, customized to the needs of specific Prefectures.” Japan faces a severe shortage on electricity after the nuclear power plants were damaged by the tsunami. To conserve electricity, Starwood has “an ongoing initiative for sustainability. It’s about saving energy, water, being more eco-friendly and taking care of the next generation. After the earthquake, we have severer controls on electric power and water supply. Any savings is implemented in the entire hotel."
Some believe that certain hotels cannot pull through this catastrophe, but GM Sasaki holds an optimistic attitude and believes that most would survive. “The domestic business is still there. Smaller Japanese style inns, or ryokan, did face some serious situations. Some have also closed, but only temporarily. Domestic business is good, but we still would appreciate more inbound businesses.”
In fact, business is not bad for the Japanese tourism industry. Starwood Japan has just welcomed its newest addition to its family – Sheraton Hiroshima, on March 28. Last October, the first St. Regis hotel in Japan was opened in Osaka. China has just approved approximately 30 travel visas to Japan recently, a positive signal for the return of Chinese tourists to Japan. Starwood Japan is also offering promotional prices on its rates that are good until the end of this year.
In GM Sasaki’s eyes, China’s tourism industry is growing quickly. “Monday, I was in Shanghai and today I’m in Beijing. I had some time to look around to visit some travel agencies and meet some customers. I was here two years ago, and it has changed so much! Ten years ago, five years ago, you were learning from us. But you learned, and now, we have to learn from you.” The Chinese market is also a major marketing target to Starwood Japan. “At Sheraton Sapporo, 30% of our customers are inbound customers. Last year, our customers from China tripled.” Volume has increased especially after the film If you are the one was released. “We used to have lots of senior people coming to Japan. After the movie, we are receiving more young couples.”
Surrounded by the sea, fresh seafood is a key selling point of Hokkaido. Blessed by the beautiful nature, Hokkaido is also a major producer of dairy products and wines. Now is the perfect season to see their cherry blossoms and lavenders. The wide range of outdoor activities, including golfing, tennis, fishing and riverboat, will not disappoint the athlete in you. However, GM Sasaki highly recommends visiting Hokkaido in winter. “The beautiful powder snow is not to be missed! It’s a different quality of snow. It looks like diamonds!” True or not? Seeing is believing.
