05 April 2011
11 March Japan Earthquake
IHG Media update, as at 5 April 2011
We remain guided by the advisories of the relevant authorities as we keep a close watch over the developments following the March 11 earthquake, especially on the situation at the Fukushima power plant and concerns about food and water safety.
A joint statement from the World Health Organisation, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Meteorological Organisation, the International Maritime Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation has reaffirmed that there is no current restriction on international flights, and operations can continue normally into and out of Japan's major airports and sea ports. Commercial flights are operating at all airports except for Sendai Airport.
In view of the reinstated infrastructure in many parts of Japan and the continued monitoring of the situation in Fukushima, a number of embassies have issued more specific guidelines in relation to their travel advisories.
The US government has, for example, identified prefectures affected by their non-essential travel advisory and those that are not. Other international travel advisories generally affect Tokyo, areas surrounding Tokyo and the Honshu area north of Tokyo.
Guests are advised to check with their respective embassies for relevant guidance.
Business Operations
On 1 April, ANA Holiday Inn Sendai resumed partial operations after a temporary closure following the earthquake and tsunami. The 165-key hotel has now reopened the majority of its room inventory for bookings.
All 33 hotels in the IHG ANA portfolio across Japan are now operational.
Planned rolling power outages in the Tokyo metropolitan area have been decreasing. Currently, public transportation in Tokyo including train and subway services, are back on regular schedules.
The safety of our guests and employees remain our primary focus. Our crisis response and contingency plans have been activated and remain in place at all levels. Countrywide, regional and global resources are being tapped to ensure our hotel teams in Japan have both the resources and support they need.
Food & Water Safety
IHG is closely monitoring advisories from Japan's government and relevant health authorities on the issue of radiation contamination, particularly in relation to food and water safety.
The latest advisory from the government of Japan (dated 4 April) indicates that tap water outside of Iidate-mura, a small district within the Fukushima prefecture, is safe for all general consumption.
Should the necessity arise, contingency plans are on place to supply guests with bottled water.
The government of Japan continues to conduct radioactivity testing in various food groups and has detected elevated levels of radioactivity in produce from the Fukushima prefecture as well as a number of other affected prefectures. They have since halted produce deliveries from these regions.
Foods served at IHG hotels are required to meet stringent safety standards. IHG has advised all its hotels to monitor the advisory services of state and national authorities for restrictions on the use and import of produce sourced from Japan.
IHG ANA's ‘Project Home'
The Japan Tourism Agency, a department within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation (MLIT), has initiated an accommodation support programme together with the All Japan Ryokan Association as well as prefectural and city governments.
This support programme is targeted at individuals who have been evacuated from the Touhoku area (Fukushima is one of six prefectures in the Touhoku area). Hotels in the Tokyo area are currently not included in this programme.
IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan fully supports this initiative and we have advised the 27 properties outside Tokyo in our portfolio to offer up to 3 percent of the total room inventory from each hotel in support of this project (up to 300 room nights per day). We have named this ‘Project Home'.
"As an international business with deep roots in Japan, we look forward to working with the local communities along with our partners in the tourism industry community to support all recovery efforts," says Clarence Tan, Chief Executive Officer, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan.
All IHG ANA hotels are also participating in the donation drive to the Red Cross Japanese Society; all donations will directly benefit the communities impacted by the earthquake and tsunami.
Notes to Editors:
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