The items are taking the place of home appliances, from rice cookers to electric toilet seats, normally favored by Chinese tourists who travel to Japan to shop.
Asian businesses suffer Lunar New Year blues over travel curbs
From a skyway operator in Australia to a tourist guide on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali and a lion dance troupe in Malaysia, Asia’s travel industry is hurting as coronavirus curbs keep most people home for the Lunar New Year.
The celebration, which begins on Friday, usually triggers the largest annual migration as people reunite with loved ones or go on holiday, but this year government curbs are spoiling plans, even as many nations roll out vaccines.
“In the last 10 months, there’s been no income, because there are no visitors,” said Bali tour guide Effendy, wearing traditional red headgear and batik-print sarong, as he stood in a deserted 60-hectare (148-acre) park.
Japan's cuddly bear character Rilakkumma, who has captured the hearts of children and adults alike with his laidback demeanour, sits on the shelves of a swanky department store in the capital, flanked by Hello Kitty and other plush toys.
Asian businesses suffer Lunar New Year blues over travel curbs
02/11/2021 6:39
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - From a skyway operator in Australia to a tourist guide on Indonesia s resort island of Bali and a lion dance troupe in Malaysia, Asia s travel industry is hurting as coronavirus curbs keep most people home for the Lunar New Year.
The celebration, which begins on Friday, usually triggers the largest annual migration as people reunite with loved ones or go on holiday, but this year government curbs are spoiling plans, even as many nations roll out vaccines. In the last 10 months, there s been no income, because there are no visitors, said Bali tour guide Effendy, wearing traditional red headgear and batik-print sarong, as he stood in a deserted 60-hectare (148-acre) park.
From a skyway operator in Australia to a tourist guide on Indonesia's resort island of Bali and a lion dance troupe in Malaysia, Asia's travel industry is hurting as coronavirus curbs keep most people home for the Lunar New Year.