Time for the post-pandemic big bounce-back for global tourism?

The World Travel Market trade event in London brings together thousands of representatives from the global travel industry. A sector decimated by the pandemic is now focused on the big bounce-back.

From Japan to Jamaica, Cuba to the Czech Republic, this is one of the world’s biggest travel trade gatherings.

Showcasing how the industry’s changing and debating and discussing the new consumer and tech trends of tomorrow.

Tokyo is here to spread the message that it’s open again, restarting international tourism just last month, after more than two years of pandemic isolation. And visitors are starting to return.

Global tourism was back to almost 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels in the first half of this year. And, as visitors return, Tokyo’s encouraging them off the beaten track.

Masashi Imai, is the Director of Marketing and Promotion, of the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Most people think Tokyo is a big city and staying in the city area… We have to show like, the other side of Tokyo… People can enjoy the city, but also enjoy the local areas, unknown areas. So, people just need to spread out.”

Sharing out visitors is now a key focus for many countries and destinations, as they look to deliver on their responsibility and sustainability commitments.

Common goals are pushing old rivalries aside and uniting the industry like never before.

Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno is the Minister of Tourism, for Indonesia.

“The sun, sea and sand in the past have now been complemented by the other three S’s of serenity, spirituality and sustainability. There is a certain number of tourists overall. If we keep on competing with Bangkok, with KL (Kuala Lumpur) and with Singapore, nobody is going to win.

“So, we need to collaborate, we need to think