Fan-free Olympics leaves hotels facing one million cancellations

Dashed hopes: A woman is seen posing for a photograph in front of the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. The decision to bar spectators from the games will lead to billions of dollars in losses. ― Reuters

TOKYO: From bellboys and receptionists to chefs and concierges, hotel staff in Japan are likely to find they have more time to watch the Olympics than they ever expected.

A fourth Covid emergency in Tokyo and a decision to bar spectators from the main athletics events have triggered a wave of hotel room cancellations.