Countless events have been cancelled since the outbreak of COVID-19. The latest event to fall victim? The 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which was originally set to take place in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9. The Olympics have since been postponed to summer 2021, with the hope that the new coronavirus pandemic is under control by then.
The event has only ever been canceled three times in its history—1914, 1940 and 1944—all due to world wars. Postponing the Olympics is a massive disappointment for sports fans everywhere, but how does it affect Japan’s tourism industry?
Dr Monica Chien, a Tourism Expert at UQ Business School, discusses with Fodors how the delay will impact tourism, and why the Olympics are a catalyst for social change.
