Hawaii swine flu scaring off tourists

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

The number of Japanese visitors arriving in Hawai'i plunged over the last two weeks amid swine-flu fears — even though Hawai'i cases have remained few and mild — and cancellations over the next few months are likely to cost the state millions more in lost revenue.

That's the assessment from several businesses that specialize in Japanese visitors. State tourism liaison Marsha Wienert said, "It is very concerning" to see a double-digit decline in arrivals that began on May 10 with a whopping 25 percent drop in daily arrivals.

"And that sharp decline is continuing today," Wienert added.

Hawai'i reported its first swine flu case on May 5, and since then the number of cases has grown to 26.


Read more: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090519/NEWS15/905190341

[kickysnana]

1. Again, cancelations have nothing to do with the economy so stop sayin that. n/t