[Noto Peninsula Earthquake] Government Announces Support for Tourism Industry - Considering New Support Measures Based on Needs
On January 11, 2024, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced measures for the tourism industry, including accommodation facilities and restaurants, to support the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
The government has announced that it will provide a total of 840 million yen in cash flow guarantees to accommodation facilities and restaurants that have been designated as severe disasters due to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and will reduce the interest rate on disaster recovery loans from 1.2% to 0.3%. In addition, for employers nationwide whose business activities have shrunk, the requirements for applying for the Employment Adjustment Subsidy will be relaxed.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi added, "Based on the needs of the disaster-stricken areas, we will consider comprehensive support measures including those for the tourism industry."
The affected areas affected by the earthquake include areas where travel activities will return in the short to medium term, and the Okunoto area, which is said to have suffered damage following the Great East Japan Earthquake and has no prospect of recovery in travel activities. For tourism operators in the Okunoto area, it is necessary to derive the optimal solution based on the needs of each disaster area and business, such as providing an interest rate of 0% instead of the same interest rate of 0.3%, or providing support that is different from loans.
In response to the announced support measures, there are some opinions on the Internet that the government is generous to the tourism industry. This is due to the Corona disaster, travel agencies such as major travel agencies and OTAs (online travel agencies) received a large amount of support in public projects. foul play This may be due to a series of incidents, but many of the tourism operators in the affected areas are small and medium-sized businesses.
