SEOUL, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Chinese cruise operators are trying to avoid Japanese ports due to rising tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, which may lead to more Chinese tourists visiting South Korea, according to sources and cruise schedules reviewed by Reuters.
Tour and port agents mentioned that comments made by Japan's new prime minister have increased these tensions. Earlier this month, Sanae Takaichi told Japanese lawmakers that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival and provoke a military response.
The Adora Magic City, a Chinese cruise ship that usually visits both South Korea’s Jeju Island and Japan, has altered its December schedule to avoid the Japanese ports of Fukuoka, Sasebo, and Nagasaki. Instead, it plans to spend 31 to 57 hours in Jeju, which is longer than its typical nine-hour stay, according to a notice on Jeju province's government website.
An official from Jeju province stated that the cruise operator changed its schedule but did not provide a specific reason. “We suspect that’s because of China-Japan relations,” said the official, who preferred to remain anonymous. “It appears they are preparing a Plan B.”
Adora Cruises did not respond when asked for comments.
Japan is feeling the effects of the diplomatic tensions. East Japan International Travel Service, a tour operator in Tokyo, reported an 80% drop in bookings for the rest of the year.
Lee Yong-gun, CEO of South Korean port agent Eastern Shipping, informed Reuters that other Chinese cruise lines are also considering reroutes. “If China and Japan's relationship worsens and China distances itself from Japan’s products, culture, and tourism, then Korea could benefit from that,” said Lee.
The operator of the "Dream" cruise ship from Tianjin wanted to avoid Japan and consider routing to ports in Incheon or Busan over the next few weeks. However, there wasn't enough time to change the itineraries, according to a discussion with the ship's operator.
Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line, which operates the vessel, did not respond to inquiries for comments.
This situation has not been previously reported, where cruise liners are skipping Japan and staying longer in South Korea due to the diplomatic dispute.
Data from online travel agency Qunar shows that South Korea has become the top destination for Chinese travelers based on international flight ticket bookings for the weekend of November 15 and 16.
Many Chinese airlines are offering refunds for flights to Japan, which is expected to increase air travel to South Korea.
An executive at Jeju Air shared that the South Korean budget airline is preparing for an influx of Chinese tourists, although there hasn't been an immediate effect yet.
A South Korean tour agency specializing in Chinese travelers recently received an inquiry about moving an event originally scheduled for Japan next year to South Korea instead. “South Korea will clearly benefit from the dispute,” he stated, but he noted that they are currently in a wait-and-see phase.
In 2013, South Korea saw a more than 50% increase in Chinese tourist arrivals due to a territorial dispute between Beijing and Tokyo over a set of islands.
While Beijing's travel advisory against Japan has impacted the country's tourism stocks negatively, shares of South Korean travel companies have risen sharply this week. Lotte Tour Development, which runs a hotel and casino on Jeju Island, has increased by over 20%; Yellow Balloon Tour is up 24%; and Shinsegae, a department store operator, has grown 6%, fueled by hopes that Chinese tourists will redirect to South Korea.
Insiders in the travel industry believe it may take time before the number of Chinese tourists in South Korea increases. “The diplomatic dispute just started a few days ago, so it might take time to see a rise in Chinese tourists coming here, but we expect it to happen,” said Kim Seol-yeong, an official at Huaqing Group, a Jeju-based tour operator.
Luna Wang, a 34-year-old from Hangzhou, mentioned that she was considering a trip to Japan this year but might now choose South Korea instead, saying, “Now it seems like Japan is not safe for Chinese people to travel … I guess the only good option is to go to Korea.”
Su Shu, the founder of Moment Travel in Chengdu, noted a significant shift in how traveling to Japan is perceived. “The sentiment now is that anyone who goes is seen as a traitor,” he said.