On October 5th, the “Special International Symposium on the Revitalization of Japan’s Tourism Sector and Quake Affected Regions” took place at the Katahira Sakura Hall, Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. This was the first international conference to be held since March 11th on the theme of tourism. The symposium was hosted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), an agency of the United Nations specializing in tourism affairs, the Japan Tourism Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan. Congress Corporation was in charge of overall operation of the symposium.

This special symposium was conceived on short notice to support the efforts being undertaken toward revitalizing tourism in Japan and in particular in the Tohoku region of north-eastern Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. Indeed, the city of Sendai itself is one of the affected areas, as the nearest major city to the earthquake. The symposium attracted some 170 participants, including representatives from both Japanese and foreign media, who showed keen interest in the subject.

Leaders in the tourism industry from around the world flew in at the last minute to Sendai and various reports were presented by those actually striving at the front lines of the efforts to revive tourism in the 6 prefectures of the Tohoku region. Case studies on large scale disasters of the past in Japan and Asia were also introduced, and active debate followed among the participants.

When Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO who led the discussion stated, “Japan has a multitude of wonderful human stories. Continue to tell these exceptional stories and turn adversity into opportunity,” the hall was enveloped in a mood of quiet fellowship. At the close of the symposium, a “Special Message” was adopted. This “Special Message” on revitalization of tourism in Japan will be disseminated to those in the tourism sector all over the world at the UNWTO Annual Meeting beginning October 8th in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.