Tragedies In Japan slow down influx of tourists to Orissa

Tsunami and explosions in the nuclear reactors in Japan have drastically reduced the number of tourists to Orissa. Most of the bookings made by Japanese tourists to India have been cancelled. As per the available information, more than one hundred Japanese tourists had booked accommodation in the hotels at Bhubaneswar and Puri. As of now, more than 70 bookings have been cancelled in the wake of earthquake and nuclear explosions in Japan.

Benjamin Simon, president of "All Orissa tours and travels association" was shocked to hear from his counterparts throughout India that major bookings by Japanese tourists were cancelled. He was expecting nine groups of 40 tourists from Japan towards the end of  March and April at Bhubaneswar and Puri. But to his utter surprise, all the bookings were cancelled. This dismal figure of Japanese tourists stands at the bottom in comparison to almost 3000 strong visitors from Japan in the peak time of every year.

Srikant Mohanty