Posted on: Friday, March 7, 2003

Diplomat explains Japanese hesitancy

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

Japanese Consul General Masatoshi Muto says the state needs to address a growing wariness among Japanese tourists about Hawai'i's crime problem and the prospect of a war in Iraq.

In comments to the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Muto said Japanese tourists are also perturbed by the state's inconvenient airports, older hotels and lack of large attractions.

Factors discouraging travel to the Islands, particularly by Japanese, are of intense interest to tourism executives and state officials grappling with a post-Sept. 11 tourism slump and the dampening effects of a possible war.

Japanese tourism is expected to suffer its steepest decline if there is a conflict because many Japanese are particularly sensitive to visiting a country engaged in war.

The consul general told travel industry representatives that the Japanese not only are concerned about their safety because of military conflict or terrorism, but also worry about crimes such as pickpocketing and thefts.

Japanese businesses recently formed a group to work on protecting tourists in Hawai'i, said Steve Kawagishi, chief executive of the Japan Hawai'i Travel Association, a group representing Japanese travel agencies.

"We'd like to make it as safe as possible," Kawagishi said.

The consul general has met with Hawai'i Tourism Authority representatives and Gov. Linda Lingle to talk about safety concerns and mitigating the impact on tourism in the event of a war.

Lingle has found it premature to say whether she may join a state delegation that would travel to Japan within two or three weeks of a military conflict to encourage visits to Hawai'i.

Japanese tourism businesses have said they want Lingle to visit Japan, as her predecessor as governor, Ben Cayetano, did after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Though a visit may not stimulate travel immediately, it could help increase visits in months following, tourism executives say.

"From a tourism standpoint, certainly you want the chief executive officer of the state to lead the delegation, but you also have to realize that if war breaks out she's got a heck of a lot of stuff going on here in the state she's got to take care of," said Rex Johnson, chief executive of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

While the consul general as a representative of Japan's government is not responsible for increasing travel to Hawai'i, Muto said he is interested in looking out for the interests of Japanese travelers and in maintaining good U.S.-Japan relations.

Muto said Japanese are attracted to newer hotels, major attractions and affordable activities such as golf on the Mainland and Asia.

Still, he added, Hawai'i has much to offer Japanese visitors. Tourism promotion efforts could include more Japanese travel articles describing activities like scuba diving, he said.

Tourism industry leaders said they agree with much of the consul general's comments.

"Japan is an extremely important market for us and will continue to be," said Johnson.

"But there's just never enough money to market to all the places that you want to."

Johnson said other agencies, including Japanese companies, have been interested for years in a state contract marketing Hawai'i to Japan.

"We need to take a real look at how we do marketing in Japan," he said.

Muto said Hawai'i airports are inconvenient for international travelers, who have complained of inadequate signs and long customs lines.

Johnson said he planned to meet with airport representatives, the federal Transportation Security Administration and Japanese travel companies to discuss improvements.

While the weak Japanese economy is partly responsible for the decrease in visitors from Japan to the Islands, some destinations in Europe and the Asia Pacific region have fared better.

"Compared to the total number of Japanese travelers going abroad, Hawai'i is losing a share," said Kawagishi. "We have to stay positive to get more Japanese back."

Kawagishi said he appreciates the consul general's efforts to meet with tourism industry leaders and officials.

"He's worrying about us," Kawagishi said.

"He's really trying to improve our environment to accept more Japanese tourists."

Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470, or at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.