Matsushima Bay, a popular tourist spot in Japan, survived the tsunami intact but now finds its economy crippled.
The unique topography of the area preserved it from the waves, but with no visitors to the town the economy has ground to a halt. Even though hotel and ferry services were soon up and running after the disaster, the local tourist association reports a catastrophic 80% slip in visitor arrivals since 11 March.
A survey of northeastern cities by Japan’s Tourism Agency fund that 70% of destinations that survived the tsunami had also reported declining arrivals. Number are down across the rest of the country too though the decline is less severe. According to the FT, foreign visitor arrivals to Japan are down as tourists remain deterred by the ongoing nuclear problems.
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