A sudden drop in Chinese tourists is hitting a popular hotel in Aichi Prefecture, with around 1,000 cancellations in November alone. The so-called “vanishing act” came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stirred Beijing with her comment on November 7 that “any event involving Taiwan is an event for Japan.”
According to Japanese media, a hotel manager in Aichi said the cancellations began on November 16.
“Just this month, 28 tour groups canceled. Almost all remaining bookings for the year are gone. It’s unprecedented,” she said. Some groups even demanded no cancellation fees after dropping out at the last minute.
About half of the hotel’s guests usually come from China, and the property is dotted with Chinese signage. The manager noted that while the hotel faced a slump after Japan nationalised the Diaoyu Islands in 2012, the current wave is unprecedented.
“Some groups cancelled even after final booking lists were confirmed. The pressure on the hotel is enormous,” she added.
Tourism observers warn that Japan’s real test will come during next February’s Chinese New Year peak season, when occupancy can be two to three times higher than usual.
“If chain cancellations occur during this critical period, the impact on tourism will be unavoidable,” the report said.
