Jan 26 2009
Asia Braces For Tough Tourism Year
Asian hotels, airlines and tourism operators are preparing themselves for a tough year in 2009 as the financial crisis continue to escalate and erode their incoming numbers.
“There’ll definitely be a drop in business, fewer tourists is a reality,” said Laurence Lai, the owner of two photo galleries at Hong Kong tourist hotspots, including the Star Ferry pier, selling iconic images of the former British colony.
“I expect a 30 percent fall at least. I’m having to shift my strategies to confront this financial tsunami, but you just have to stand firm and face the winds,” added Lai, who relies on tourists for half his sales.
Since the downturn in 2008, the neon-lit cities, impressing snow capped Himalayas and sandy beaches haven’t been enough to lure careful buyers.
