Atsutoshi Nishida, chairman, Japan Travel & Tourism Association welcomed delegates to the opening of the World Travel & Tourism Council 2012 Global Summit

Tourism in Japan is forecast to stage a complete recovery following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami during the first half of 2012.

A new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), its fourth and final report since the earthquake of March 11th 2011, forecasts the full recovery of international tourism demand during the first half of 2012.

Tourism initially fell 62 per cent in April 2011.

According to WTTC, Japan’s tourism industry is set to directly contribute JPY10,276 billion ($129 billion) in 2012, marginally above the JPY10,246 billion ($128.5 billion) in 2010.

This followed a fall of 3.9 per cent in 2011 due to the earthquake and tsunami.

WTTC president David Scowsill said: “Japan is the third largest tourism economy in the world so its health is of crucial importance to our industry across the globe.

“Japan’s tourism recovery has been much better than anyone could have anticipated 12 months ago.

“With help of a forceful marketing strategy, Japan is open and ready for business. Domestic travel recovery strongly last year and 2012 is forecast to be the year for full recovery of international visitors.”