Traditionally, about 30 per cent of San Francisco's tourists come from Asian countries. This year, those numbers have dropped

From CNN Correspondent Don Knapp

SAN FRANCISCO (CNN) -- Tourism may be up overall in San Francisco this summer, but there's something missing -- Asian tourists. And they're missed by tour operators.

"We're almost seeing a non-existent Korean tourist," said Jim Casey of Franciscan Travelways. "There are still tourist and corporate travelers from Japan and there are still leisure travelers and corporate travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong, but they are down."

Take, for example, the sea lions at Pier 39, one of the free shows in town. They're always a great draw, but there are fewer Asian tourists on the pier this year.

Traditionally, about 30 per cent of San Francisco's tourists come from Asian countries. But airline figures show passenger volumes from those countries down 10 to 12 percent.

Yong Hai Chung came from Korea with his family not to vacation, but to find a job. He says many of his fellow workers want to do the same.

"So they want a job," he said. "Vacation is more difficult."

San Francisco's taxi drivers have noticed a drop in business.

"I don't think there are as many Asian tourists, especially the Japanese," said a cabbie who gave her name as Carla. "And the ones who are here don't tip as well as they used to."

The reason for the drop is the rise in cost to Japanese visitors.

"Asian economics has caused travelers to be more value conscious, more rate conscious," said John Hutar of the Hotel Nikko.

When the yen was stronger and the dollar weaker, the United States was a big bargain for travelers from Japan.

"Basically, the currency has moved against the Japanese," said Asian economy expert David Smith. "The dollar has been strong vis a vis the yen ... and obviously, coming over here is a lot more expensive than it used to be."

Serious economic troubles in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea, make trips to California a lower priority on Asian family budgets. And it means that even with the U.S. economy in good health, Californians are feeling the pain of the Asian crunch.