Workers at tourist spots in Tokyo voiced concern Saturday about the negative impact on their businesses of the government's request for elderly people and those with health issues not to use Japan's domestic travel subsidy campaign amid an uptick of COVID-19 cases.
"Tourists had been returning somewhat, but my store cannot avoid the impact of the latest request" from the Tokyo metropolitan and central governments over the use of the tourism promotion program, said Akiko Suzuki, who runs a souvenir shop along Asakusa's Nakamise shopping street, a popular tourism spot.
An official at Hato Bus Co., which offers tours around Tokyo, said the company had received inquiries from customers age 65 and older regarding travel after the requests were made on Tuesday.