March 11, 2011 Press Release:

TORONTO – In the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan early today, Tour East Holidays reports that all its customers presently touring Japan have been accounted for and all are safe and did not suffer any injuries during the natural disaster.

Tour East Holidays’ President Annie Tsu said most of the company’s customers were touring the southern region of Japan or were in Tokyo when the 8.9 magnitude quake struck. None of Tour East Holidays’ clients were touring the most affected area in the north-east area of Japan.

“First, I’d like to say our hearts go out to the people of Japan at this terrible time,” said Tsu. “Our tour department has contacted all our clients and thankfully they are all safe and out of harm’s way.”

Tsu added that Tour East’s offices in Toronto and Vancouver are working very closely with the company’s tour representatives in Tokyo and the rest of Japan to assist customers who wish to return home.

Most flights out of Tokyo were cancelled Friday but Air Canada and other airlines used by Tour East Holidays for tours to Japan say they expect to resume regular scheduled flights out of Tokyo as early as Saturday, March 12.

Tour East Holidays said that because the situation in Japan remains fluid, it will continue to monitor developments as they pertain to future tours to Japan.

Tour East has group trips planned to Japan in April for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and has a group scheduled to leave Canada next week for the World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo March 18-28. So far, those tours have not been cancelled or postponed but Tour East will monitor the situation and stay in touch with customers.
Tour East Holidays suggest customers who have purchased tours to Japan contact the company at 416-929-8017 to find out the status of those trips.

“I want to assure our customers touring  Japan that if they wish to return to Canada right now we will do everything in our power to assist them,” said Tsu.

Air Canada and other airlines have yet to announce their policy regarding refunds and rescheduling in the wake of the Japanese earthquake.

Tour East Holidays will release more information to the media as it become available.

For more information, contact Director of Communications Marc Atchison at 416-929-0888 ext. 2232.