Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda addressed delegates at the World Travel & Tourism Council in Tokyo

Delegates of the WTTC Global Summit 2012 have arrived in Tokyo for the second instalment of the global forum.

Japan’s Prime Minister Noda-sama welcomed the WTTC Summit and asked all to share the message of the strong recovery, which has been outlined by tourism leaders.

Japan was specifically chosen as the host destination for the WTTC Summit in a bid to spearhead the recovery following events of the tragic earthquake and tsunamis that took place in March 2011.

The first day of the Summit, took place in Sendai City, with the Sendai Recovery & Asia Outlook Forum providing an inside look at the Asian market, 

The overall theme of this year’s Global Summit is, ‘Leading a Dynamic Industry Through Turbulent Times’.

Just over one year on since earthquake and industry leaders have been highlighting positive prospects for Japan’s tourism industry.

According to PATA chief executive Martin Craigs, the big picture is very health for Asia. “We are headed to 500 million tourists by the end of 2040,” he revealed in a panel session earlier.

Meanwhile WTTC revealed 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.

Tokyo’s PAMIR Convention Centre is hosting the second instalment of the WTTC Summit with industry leaders from every sector and region participating in a sessions that will examine the latest challenges and priorities for the travel and tourism industry.

WTTC president David Scowsill said: “This will be a truly great Global Summit with contributions from some of the biggest names in the Travel & Tourism industry and beyond.

“People meet, do business and network at the Global Summit. It helps to bring the industry together to present a more united, co-ordinated front to the world. During the next day and a half, we will drive our global themes of growth, jobs, exports, coalition and sustainability.”