1 Aiming Toward Safe and Secure Tourism in Okinawa Vice Governor of Okinawa Prefecture Yoshiyuki Uehara November 7 th, 2012

Outline 1. Summary of Tourism in Okinawa 2. Natural Disasters in Okinawa and Countermeasures 3. Earthquake and Tsunami Measures 4. Other Possible Crises 5. Conclusion 2

About Okinawa Okinawa consists of approx. 160 islands, including 49 inhabited islands, over a vast ocean area southwest of Japan’s Main Island. Okinawa experienced major transformations in the past including changes of rulers 1.Ryukyu Dynasty period 2.Annexation to Japan, WWII 3.US administration period 4.Reversion to Japan, to Today

4 Tourism Statistics in Okinawa from Reversion to Japan Period till Today Bubble Economy Bursts Competing with foreign countries due to strong yen Economic stagnation / A new strain of influenza Lowe price travel packages prevail due to airfare liberalization G8 Summit 9/11 Attack Expo ‘75 Foreign tourists Japanese tourists Tourism revenue Great East Japan Earthquake 2011 : 5,530,000 Tourism Revenue : \378.3 billion Number of tourists as of 1972: 560,000 Tourism Revenue : \32.4 billion Number of tourists to Okinawa (10 thousands) Tourism revenue (100mil yen)

Typhoon Impacts in Miyakojima September 2003 Power poles collapsed / blackout Overturned bus Shuttered windows of airport control tower Blown-off roof of a gym designated as shelter

Typhoon Measures for Tourists in Naha Airport August, 2011 Overcrowded airport Consultation at airport information desk, providing hotel information Distribution of blue-sheets for stranded tourists at night

Estimated Tsunami-caused Flood Areas on Ishigaki Island 7 Expected maximum flood area

Natural Disaster Management in Okinawa Okinawa prefecture regional disaster prevention plan (Amended March, 2012) Previous plan was mainly focused on… Residents’ safety in case of heavy rain and typhoons 8 1) Enhanced earthquake and tsunami countermeasures 2) Strengthened tsunami relief measures for tourists and locals Significant revision of the plan in light of Great East Japan Earthquake

Natural Disaster Measures in Okinawa Municipalities are encouraged to prepare tsunami evacuation plans based on 2012 Prefectural guideline Disaster prevention manual including evacuation guidance for tourists’ sites and accommodation facilities will be formulated Sea level signage will be posted based on sea level labeling guideline and sea level map Securing tsunami evacuation spots : nearby hills, designated evacuation buildings, possible construction of evacuation tower 1) Enhanced earthquake and tsunami countermeasures

Natural Disaster measures in Okinawa Municipalities fire fighters will lead evacuation efforts at beaches and fishing spots Sightseeing facilities, hotels and public transportation will lead evacuation efforts for visitors Municipalities will provide shelters for visitors and give support to the people who are stranded on their return trip Foreign visitors will be provided with access to information and consultation in cooperation with international exchange organizations 2) Strengthened tsunami relief measures for tourists and locals

Okinawa Disaster Crisis Management Model Project 1. Outline Quick response measures will be taken to ensure tourists’ safety from earthquake and tsunami, after enormous damages in East Japan 1) Establishing tsunami and earthquake countermeasure models at community level with Prefectural assistance 2) Building Disaster Information Delivery System for tourists and agencies Information delivery network, support for return trip, more awareness to crisis response measures will be the focus of Phase 2 Information from affected area Support of returning to home/hotel s Sustainable recovery plan / recovery Human resource development Tourism promotion after recovery Disaster occurs/ Evacuation guidance /Emergency relief Communication with affected area Support for Return Trip Sustainable Recovery HRD Training and Education Post-crisis Promotion

Possible Crisis Risks in Okinawa Frequency/Possibility Large impactLimited impact High ・ Typhoon ・ Political dispute ・ Economic downturn ・ Reduced air-seat capacity ・ Negative reputation ・ Fire ・ Food poisoning ・ Car accident ・ Poisonous creature contact Low ・ Earthquake ・ Tsunami ・ Epidemics ・ Nuclear vessel accident ・ Terrorist attack ・ Crime with weapons ・ Airplane accident ・ Ship accident

Basic Attitude to Crisis Management in Tourism ・ Measures for all crises are necessary in tourism (Natural disasters, sudden change of economic/social situation, cyber terrorism, etc) “Safe and secure tourist destination” will be a key to build a good tourism brand image and advertise the place as a world-class tourist place In times of crisis, it is important to cooperate with abroad for the appropriate information dissemination as well as support to the affected area ITOP members’ commitment and cooperation to crisis management in tourism will enhance the brand image of Asia as a tourism destination and attract more visitors to the region Okinawa aims to be the most secure and safest tourist destination in Japan, committed to crisis management in tourism

Okinawa, together with ITOP member regions, endeavors to be a safe and secure tourist destination! 14 Photos ： OCVB Okinawa Story photo library