Tourism is a ‘force for good in the world that is respected and welcomed by all’, according to David Scowsill, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) at the close of the Global Summit in Tokyo today.

In his closing speech to the assembled 1,200 delegates at the Global Summit, David said: “We are responsible for 255 million jobs, 6 trillion dollars, which is 9% global GDP - this makes us bigger than automotive, bigger than mining and bigger than manufacturing. For every one dollar spent in Travel & Tourism, we generate 3 dollars to the economy.

“As an industry, we will continue to drive the sustainability agenda forward. The leaders of WTTC are finding that the balance between people, planet and making profits is not only achievable, but essential for consumers and to every employee of their organisations. I believe that together we can become a Force for Good that is respected and welcomed by all - wherever our journey takes us.

“I believe we have started to show the kind of leadership that is befitting of an industry that can generate growth, jobs, prosperity and sustainability at both global and regional level, like no other industry on this planet can.”

The Global Summit finished with an extravaganza of music and dancing to celebrate the handover to Abu Dhabi which will host the 13th WTTC Global Summit, 8-10 April 2013; and a personal message for delegates to attend the WTTC Americas Summit in Riviera May 16-18 May 2012.