Integrating tourism into disaster recovery management: The case of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami 2011

Using a case study of the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011, this chapter examines the impact that tourism makes in the life cycle of disaster recovery, and then recommends an integrated life cycle model of disaster recovery. Based on interviews with 20 individuals including hotel managers, tourism operators, community members, volunteers and government representatives in one of the most devastated areas, the Ishinomaki region, the role of tourism is analysed in four different phases: pre-disaster, disaster (emergency), short-term (temporary) response, and recovery. Findings reveal that the hospitality sector contributed significantly to the effective management of the emergency phase. The chapter also notes that the arrival of dark tourism has played a crucial role in empowering and stimulating the community in the post-disaster and short-term response phases. More importantly, the chapter suggests that tourism needs to be much better integrated into the broader disaster management process