Tourists Reconsider Travel to Japan

Toronto Sun: Just four months after a devastating earthquake in Japan, a new survey has found tourists are willing to consider the country as a travel destination.

The Hotels.com survey found Japan ranked in the top three favorite global destinations, with 86% of respondents saying they would consider going there within the next year.

On March 11, a powerful earthquake hit off the coast of Japan, triggering tsunami waves. The disaster destroyed towns and villages, and led to meltdowns at three reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Flight and hotel costs were a major incentive, with almost 70% of survey respondents saying they would visit Japan now if the price was right. Japan's food, culture and sightseeing were also important motivations.

"I am very encouraged that so many people in the Hotels.com survey indicated that they are willing to travel to Japan. I hope that everyone can visit Japan and experience the best of Tokyo's fantastic hospitality which never changes," Hideki Yokoyama, a tourism spokesman for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, said in the release about the survey.

"I would like everyone to see that the whole of Japan is working together for a rapid recovery. Please feel free to visit Japan now or in the near future."

The survey of 500 travelers from 17 countries was conducted in July.