World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27th. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic values. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) started observing this day in 1980, and since then, it has become a significant global event.
Why Is World Tourism Day Celebrated?
The main objective of celebrating World Tourism Day is to highlight the role that tourism plays in promoting sustainable economic growth, job creation, and environmental preservation. It also aims to enhance cultural understanding and appreciation among people from different parts of the world.
World Tourism Day provides an opportunity to showcase the significant contributions that tourism has made to the world economy. It is also a platform for discussing various issues related to tourism, such as travel restrictions, safety concerns, sustainability challenges, and infrastructure development.
The Theme Of World Tourism Day
Every year, UNWTO comes up with a unique theme for World Tourism Day that reflects the current trends and challenges in the tourism industry. The theme serves as a guiding principle for organizing events and activities related to tourism on that day.
For instance, in 2021, the theme for World Tourism Day is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.” This theme focuses on promoting equitable opportunities for all stakeholders involved in tourism development. It emphasizes the need to create sustainable jobs, empower local communities, foster entrepreneurship and innovation.
- The Importance Of World Tourism Day
- 1. Promoting Sustainable Development: One of the key objectives of celebrating World Tourism Day is to promote sustainable development through responsible tourism practices. This includes reducing carbon emissions from transportation modes like air travel and promoting eco-friendly accommodations.
- 2. Boosting The Economy: The tourism industry plays a significant role in generating revenue for many countries worldwide.
World Tourism Day provides an opportunity to showcase the economic benefits of tourism and its potential to create jobs, especially in developing countries.
- 3. Preserving Cultural Heritage: Tourism can help preserve cultural heritage by promoting cultural exchange and appreciation. World Tourism Day encourages travelers to respect local customs and traditions, which can lead to cultural understanding and harmony.
- 4. Building Peace: Traveling can promote peace and understanding by breaking down barriers between people from different cultures. World Tourism Day emphasizes the importance of travel in building bridges between nations and fostering mutual respect and cooperation.
The Bottom Line
World Tourism Day is a significant event that celebrates the positive impact of tourism on society, culture, the economy, and the environment. It also highlights the challenges facing the tourism industry, such as sustainability issues, safety concerns, and infrastructure development.
By promoting sustainable tourism practices and responsible travel behavior, we can make tourism a force for good in the world. So let’s embrace this day as an opportunity to celebrate our love for travel while also committing ourselves to making it more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.