Travel firms foresee drop in Japan visitors

• Hawai'i hotels see dropoff in bookings

Advertiser staff and News Services

Companies catering to Japanese travelers are facing a dramatic decline in business in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Japan's top travel company — JTB Corp. — said more than 25 percent of its reservations for international package tours have been canceled.

"Japanese customers are hesitant to fly on either domestic or international routes," said Kosuke Naiki, a spokesman at Tokyu Tourist Corp. in Tokyo, which specializes in packaged tours. "Those who want to travel are shying away from the U.S. routes and American carriers."

Katsuya Mihashi, president of Hankyu U.S.A., with offices in Waikiki and 100 employees in Hawai'i, was more blunt.

"Japanese people are chicken," Mihashi said. "Once the worries happen, even the government says you should stay in Japan."

Mihashi said he expects a 20 to 25 percent drop in Japanese tourists coming to Hawai'i, adding that the number could go higher depending on the U.S. response to the attacks.

"It's a body blow," said Mihashi. "All travel industry people are getting down. Everyone is very down."

Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of Hawai'i's economy. Mihashi called on Gov. Ben Cayetano to help the industry plan for surviving the anticipated drop in visitors.