Jun 20 (Japan Times) - Monday morning’s deadly earthquake in Osaka has affected tourism in the region, with travelers at home and overseas canceling bookings in the affected areas.
At least four people were killed and hundreds more injured in the quake.
The operator of a hotel in central Kyoto said Tuesday that the quake has cost the firm some ¥4.4 million following cancellations of bookings for about 300 rooms. The reservations included several school trips to the city that had been planned this week. The hotel has 408 rooms.
“We’re operating as usual, but many people fear for their safety because Osaka and Takatsuki (the site of the quake’s epicenter) are nearby,†said a staffer who requested his name be withheld. “I hope everything will get back to normal within a week, but reports about damage in the area have been hurting (the business) more than I thought.â€
“We may see more cancellations today and tomorrow,†the staffer added.
The operator requested that the name of the hotel be withheld out of concern that information on cancellations could further affect business.
A room management employee at another Kyoto hotel reported a wave of cancellations and said some customers were fearful of aftershocks. “Only today we received about 107 cancellation requests, and as many as 602 yesterday,†he said.
However, he said the firm has seen some new customers seeking accommodation after being stranded between their homes and their travel destinations.
In the heart of the city of Osaka, Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka, which has 1,042 rooms, saw roughly 100 cancellations each for Monday and Tuesday, according to Chie Takahashi, who manages public relations.
She said the figures include reservations by foreign guests.
