明星大熊猫回国了，日本“熊猫之城”没了熊猫很头疼

Core Points - The departure of four giant pandas from Adventure World in Shirahama, Japan, marks the end of an era that significantly contributed to the local economy, generating approximately 125.6 billion yen over 31 years [2][6] - The local community is now facing uncertainty regarding the future economic impact and tourism appeal without the pandas, which were a major draw for visitors [2][4] Economic Impact - The giant pandas were estimated to have brought about 125.6 billion yen in economic benefits to Shirahama over 31 years, highlighting their role as a key economic driver [2][6] - Approximately 300,000 visitors annually were drawn to Shirahama specifically to see the pandas, accounting for about one-third of total visitors [3][4] Tourism Challenges - Local businesses, particularly those selling panda-themed products, are concerned about declining sales following the pandas' departure, with some stores reporting that 40% of their products were panda-related [2][3] - The Adventure World theme park is struggling to maintain visitor interest without the pandas, as evidenced by a child's remark about the lack of appeal of panda plush toys compared to live animals [3][4] Community Response - The Shirahama town government is exploring new activities and events to attract tourists, such as piano competitions and beach festivals, in an effort to diversify the local economy [4][7] - There is a push for "de-panda-ization," with local leaders acknowledging the need to develop new attractions and branding to replace the lost panda appeal [6][7] Future Prospects - The local community is encouraged to leverage other attractions, such as beaches and hot springs, to draw visitors, although there are concerns about competition from other tourist destinations [4][8] - The potential for future panda returns is uncertain, but there is hope that improved diplomatic relations could lead to the pandas' return, which would reinvigorate local tourism [9]