Disappearance of Atsumi Yoshikubo no effect on Yellowknife tourism: operator

Tour operators in Yellowknife say the disappearance of a Japanese tourist last month hasn't slowed business in fact,they say tourist numbers continue to increase.

• Missing tourist, Atsumi Yoshikubo, could lessen visits from Japan
• Atsumi Yoshikubo wrote a suicide note before leaving Japan

The RCMP have said Atsumi Yoshikubo, 45, came to Yellowknife with the intention of going missing.

"Our investigation also determined she had taken steps to avoid detection,"saidConst.ElenoreSturkoafter RCMP chose to end the search a week after Yoshikubo was reported missing.

RCMP later said Yoshikubowaspresumed dead.

Staff at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre in Yellowknife expected the news toimpact future tourism from Japan, but at least three tour operators in Yellowknife say that's not the case.

Grant Beck, owner of Beck's Kennels, says half hisvisitors come from Japan.

"It didn't have any impact. In fact, I think it's increased one and a half timescompared to last yearand last year was up also," Beck said.

Two other aurora operators, Aurora Village and Enodah Wilderness Travel,also say their bookings have not suffered.

New statistics from the Northwest Territories government show that more than one-third of vacationers to Yellowknife come for the northern lights.