Le Japon rebondit (Japan bounces back)
After dropping 90% for two months full recovery should be evident in 2012 says WTTC report.
A report commissioned by the WTTC says that the immediate impacts of the earthquake and tsunami on Japan's Travel & Tourism were extremely stark as international arrivals were down 50% in March and then 62% in April.
But it is clear that Travel & Tourism demand fully recovered in late 2011, ahead of activity in the wider economy and despite recent disruptions - boosted in no small part by the strength of the yen. Travel & Tourism is clearly set to make an increasing contribution to the wider economy in 2012.
Inbound leisure tourism fell by an estimated 90% in the two months, according to the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), with domestic travel down almost 20% over the period. The disruption to demand was felt across the country, not just in the northeastern regions that were directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami.