1951年にPATAがハワイで誕生してから今年で60周年を迎え、その記念すべき60周年総会が、4月9日から12日まで、北京のチャイナ・ワールド・ホテルにて開催され、世界各国から約1000名の会員と120名のメディアが参加を得て成功裡に終了いたしました。PATA設立当初のオリジナルメンバーでもある日本(当時加盟は8カ国、現在は40カ国)としては、日本からのデリゲート・ミッションとしての参加も検討していましたが、東日本大震災の影響もあり参加者の募集が困難となり、今回は前PATA日本支部会長(現、PATA終身会員、PATA日本支部名誉顧問)の石槫信孝氏に代表して御参加頂きました。また、観光庁からは溝畑長官を始め、国際交流推進課外客誘致室の勝又室長、国際交流推進課の新井係長にもご参加頂き、震災を受けた日本の国際観光の復興につき発信する良い機会となりました。特に、この大変な時期に日本から観光庁長官が来てくれたということで、各国VIPからも感謝の意が評され、日本が国際観光で果たす役割は大変重要であり、今後も各国が協力して日本の観光復興を支援していきたいとの暖かい激励の言葉も頂きました。なお、総会に先立ち開催されたPATA本部理事会の冒頭挨拶として、石槫氏から以下のメッセージが読み上げられました。

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11 March 2011 is a day we shall not forget.
A massive earthquake and Tsunami struck the Northeastern region of this beautiful country, causing catastrophic damage and a loss of many precious lives and properties, a tragedy we had hoped would never happen.　Sad as we are, we can only look to the future and carry on as strong as ever.
The devastating disaster has had an enormous impact also on Japan’s inbound tourism.
While many areas in Japan remained unaffected by the disaster, they are also suffering from the sudden decrease in international visitors, caused by harmful rumours or misinformation. We should provide timely information on the current situation to the travel industry and to the public.
We are deeply concerned that this will not only affect Japan’s tourism industry directly, but also will have a very negative impact on our industry partners in the Pacific Asia and around the world.　
In this time of crisis, we have a role to play by providing those people and corporations affected moral and financial support to recover from the tragedy as soon as possible, and to rebuild natural, historical, cultural and social assets and properties for travel and tourism gradually, although it might well take months or years.
Warm words and kind thoughts have been received from all over the world. Relief supplies, financial donations and rescue teams keep pouring in. We cannot say how much we are encouraged and inspired by the goodwill. We can only say Arigato or thank you.
There is a long road ahead, but we will just carry on.
Your continued support, cooperation and guidance would be highly appreciated.
Thank you very much indeed again, and Arigato.