2020-03-18
Hiromi Tagawa
Chairperson
Japan Association of Travel Agents
Q: Is your business / organization affected by the recent outbreak of coronavirus? To what extent?
A: We expect the negative effect to be much larger than the effects of the 2003 SARS or 2009 Novel influenza outbreaks. Initially, the infection has spread mainly to the areas hosting Chinese tourists who amounted to 9.6 million in 2019 and greatly contributed to the local economies. Not surprisingly at present, the travel market as a whole – inbound, outbound, and domestic – is performing below the level of the same period last year. It is still early, though, to estimate the full scope of the impact. The Japan Association of Travel Agents will continue to monitor the industry and market indicators and act accordingly.
Q: According to your optimistic estimate, how long will it take for tourism to fully recover from the negative impact of the outbreak?
A: While the pandemics in 2003 and 2009 ended in about six months, we still have to wait for experts’ opinion on how soon the COVID-19 outbreak will end. Based on our previous experience in crisis management, the Japan Association of Travel Agents is currently working on devising travel recovery measures which will be implemented as soon as the outbreak is over. We expect our recovery campaigns and stimuli to help the industry to return to normal operations.
Q: Can you think of a problem or weakness in our industry that has been exposed because of the outbreak? (Please focus on only one)
A: Tourism industry is based on exchanges of people and thus vulnerable to terrorism,
infections and natural disasters. As managers, we need to take these risks into consideration, learn from the current crisis and be prepared to deal with similar challenges in the future.
Q: What do you think is a key point that our industry must pay attention to when it recovers from the crisis? (Please pick only one)
A: At the recovery stage, strengthening mutual trust is important. Fortunately, Japan and China have worked well together and have developed close ties at various levels and can exercise joint efforts for the recovery of travel exchange. However, while we prepare for the recovery, it is important that, after taking all necessary safety measures, the travel industry continue to operate and provide safe, high quality travel. Live as usual, travel as usual, do business as usual.
Q: What change (positive or negative) do you think the outbreak may eventually bring to the tourism industry in the future? (Please pick only one)
A: The tourism industry will have to address matters relative to cruise travel and information diffusion through SNS. Careful analysis of today’s crisis should provide answers about how to prepare for possible crises in the future, how to manage risk in ways which heightens the mutual trust between customers and service providers.