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The world changes every minute. A conflict breaks out somewhere, a natural disaster strikes, or a new TikTok star suddenly draws waves of tourists to a little-known town. The tourism business is like walking a tightrope — everything can be perfect until a strong wind starts to blow. International tourism is especially sensitive to these winds, as it depends not just on the stability of one country, but several at once.
What Influences the Tourism Market?
The first and most obvious factor is the political situation. Wars, revolutions, and protests instantly affect tourist numbers. People are simply afraid to travel to places that seem unstable. For example, after the conflict in Ukraine began, tourism in the region almost disappeared, and even neighboring countries experienced a decline — tourists get nervous, even if the border is technically far away.
The second factor is natural disasters: tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes. Even if they’re rare, a region’s reputation can be damaged for a long time. And if the news mentions a potential threat, people immediately start canceling their trips. After all, tourism is about relaxation, safety, and peace — not about taking risks.
Predictions That Scare More Than Reality
Sometimes, it’s not just actual events that impact the tourism market — even predictions can have an effect. A striking example is the Japanese artist Re Tatsuki. She’s known as a talented comic book creator, but after 2011, people began talking about her very differently. In one of her comics, written before the tragedy, she depicted a tsunami that looked eerily similar to the real one that struck in March 2011. The coincidences were so accurate that many got chills.
Recently, she released another comic — this time depicting a powerful earthquake hitting Japan’s eastern coastline. And while no one can prove it’s a prophecy, the effect is already clear: the flow of tourists to Japan has dropped sharply. People are scared. They remember 2011, they remember Tatsuki’s comics, and they choose to play it safe.
Can You Predict This?
This is where it gets interesting. Of course, tourism involves a lot of analytics. There are specialized companies that assess risks, monitor political developments, weather, and market demand. There are even full-scale forecasting models. But no one — not even artificial intelligence — can foresee that one artist will release a comic that causes panic on the other side of the world.
Still, smart business people try to plan ahead. What if borders close again? How quickly can a travel route be adjusted if an outbreak begins in a region? Where should ads be redirected if panic breaks out in Japan but tourist season is booming in South Korea?
A Lesson for the Tourism Industry
The story of Re Tatsuki is a reminder of how interconnected everything is. One comic — and tour operators in Tokyo are already counting their losses. Tourism is an emotional business. People travel where it’s beautiful, safe, and calm. Even the hint of danger can change everything.
That’s why international tourism businesses must be flexible. You can’t rely on just one country or region. You have to be ready to switch directions quickly, work with different markets, and prepare for the unexpected.
What’s Next?
There’s no confirmation that a major earthquake will actually strike Japan, but the market is already on edge. Tourists are canceling trips, and travel agencies are quickly redirecting their offers to other countries. Some are switching focus to South Korea, others to Vietnam or Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Re Tatsuki continues to draw. And who knows — maybe she just has a deep sensitivity to the world’s atmosphere, or maybe she’s just incredibly lucky with coincidences. Either way, her work is no longer just art — it’s a force that can influence business and human behavior around the globe.
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