As tensions between China and Japan escalate, the Chinese government has urged citizens to stop traveling to Japan. Hotels in the East China Sea region are already feeling the impact.
In the city of Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, the Gamagori Hotel began experiencing unusual disturbances on November 16 and has since worsened.
(Hotel representative Keiko Takeuchi)
"Cancellation notices keep coming from Chinese travel agencies. Every group booking by the end of the year has been exhausted. There is not a single group reservation left."
The reason for all cancellations was cited as "political tension". On November 7, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takachi made comments about Taiwan that sharply strained relations. As a result, 28 group bookings were canceled in November alone, derailing the travel plans of nearly 1,000 people.
The hotel's management noted that in 2012, during the Senkaku Islands dispute, Chinese groups also withdrew. But this time it feels completely different.
(Takeuchi)
"We have never had a cancellation once the final guest list and itinerary has been confirmed. Moreover, the agencies are demanding a complete waiver of the penalty fee. To be honest, this puts us in a difficult position - it is hard to accept."
Nearly Half of Guests Are Chinese, Future Looks Tough
Even closer to departure dates, cancellations continue. The agencies cite the government's travel call and demand waiver of all fees. With almost half of the hotel's guests coming from China and Chinese signage everywhere in the lobby, staff are very concerned about how far this wave of cancellations will spread.
(Takeuchi)
"The scenario is serious. It's not just us—everyone in the tourism industry will feel it. We hope things calm down soon."
Only minor impact seen on Nagoya's individual travel market
Meanwhile, the Nagoya Marriott, which is directly connected to Nagoya Station, shows a very different picture.
(Nagoya Marriott Sales Promotion Manager Momoko Taniguchi)
"Yes, we have had some sporadic cancellations, but the overall impact is small and manageable."
Chinese guests account for about 15% of their total clientele, mostly individual travelers. Single bookings are more flexible, and even after the travel halt was announced, new reservations are still coming in. So far, no major disruptions have been reported.
Still, employees are keeping an eye on February's Lunar New Year. In past years, the number of guests during the holidays has been two to three times higher than normal.
(Taniguchi)
"We expect there will be some impact going forward, but it is difficult to predict. We will continue to monitor bookings closely."
It remains uncertain how long the ban on travel to China will last, and no clear answer has been received yet.
