• March 29, 2011

Japan has suspended all tourism marketing and promotional activity in light of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant crisis, according to an Australian travel publication.

The move comes despite the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) confirming that the disaster has, inevitably, had an "enormous impact" on inbound tourism that would affect its "partners around the world," reports Reed Business Information's Travel Weekly.

"While many areas in Japan remained unaffected by the disaster they are also suffering from the sudden decrease in international visitors," the JNTO said in a statement. "We are deeply concerned that this will not only affect Japan's tourism industry directly, but also will have a very negative impact on our industry partners around the world."

However, considering the risks of aftershocks and that the "highest priority" remained on rescue and relief efforts, the "government has decided to pause its tourism promotion activities temporarily."

"Once the situation stabilizes, we will strive to resume all promotional activities as soon as possible," the JNTO said.

--Tanya Irwin