03 tourism (causes of fluctuations)

Question 1

Example

Disasters

Answer 1

In March 2011, Japan was hit with the earthquake and tsunami which resulted in a nuclear meltdown. Before this occurred, tourist numbers were already down as the first two months of the year are off-peak seasons due to the cold. In April came the Cherry Blossom season where tourist numbers normally increase as many want to see the flowers bloom. However, it dropped and by the end of the year, tourist numbers dropped by 28% to 6.2 million.

Question 2

Example

Recessions

Answer 2

During the 2007-2009 Global Financial Crisis, international tourist arrivals had a peak drop of 12% in the March of 2009. Following that, numbers were down by 4% and tourist receipts dropped by 6%.

Question 3

Example

Political Situations

Answer 3

When Egypt barely hit a high of 14.7 million arrivals in 2010, the Arab Springs uprising took place and arrivals dropped to 9.5 million in 2011. Bali, Indonesia is a city that has recovered successfully from the 2002 and 2005 terrorist attacks.

Question 4

Example

Diseases

Answer 4

In the latest Covid-19 pandemic, tourist numbers dropped by a whopping 1 billion in 2020, an equivalent of almost 75% compared to 2019.
The 2003 SARS outbreak affected 25 countries and killed 775 people while infecting more than 8 thousand people. Hence, hotel occupancy rates dropped from the norm of 82% to 15% according to a BBC news report.