Japan’s Tsunami did not yet have any adverse effect on Maldivian tourism

The widespread devastation caused by the massive earthquake and succeeding tsunami in Japan few weeks ago did not have an adverse effects on the tourism sectors of Maldives, says some parties working in the tourism industry in the country.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily some parties involved in the industry said that reservations made by Japan tourists are not many. Taking it to considerations that there is going to be a small business dip due to Japan meltdown in the coming days, they said that they have made other plans to tackle this issue.

Girish Segal, General-Manager of the award winner for “World’s best leading Hotel”, Taj Exotica, said that only a very few of the Japanese tourists, who constitute 16 percent of the customers of the resort, cancelled their reservations.

“Most of the Japanese tourists are mostly honeymooners or couples on vacation. Japan is known for what is called ‘family tourism’. However, there have not been much work done here in this field of tourism,” Girish Segal told Miadhu Daily.

GM of the resort which has won 13 international awards in the past 15 months, Girish said that plan are being made which aims to drive new business to the resort from China, Middle East and India to shore up the Japan travel market.

He said that it is important to reach out to other markets to pick up any possible shortfall.

Girish said that Maldivian tourism industry might consider offering special deals and packages to draw new visitors to make up for any loss of Japanese tourists. But he said it was too early to determine whether that would be needed.