World Tourism Day

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6 UNWTO regions UNWTO.svg
6 UNWTO regions

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. [1] The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

At its Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing, China, in October 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East.

The late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian national, was the one who proposed the idea of marking September 27 of every year as World Tourism Day. He was finally recognized for his contribution in 2009. The colour of World Tourism Day is Blue.

World Tourism Day's primary objective is to highlight the significance of tourism on a global scale. Apart from the economic impact that tourism brings to a country, it also plays a role in influencing the social, political and cultural environment of the countries. [2]

The primary objective of World Tourism Day is to underscore the importance of tourism on a global scale. Beyond its economic impact, tourism significantly influences the social, political, and cultural fabric of countries and regions. By celebrating this day, nations seek to emphasise that tourism isn't just about revenue; it's also about fostering connections, understanding diverse cultures and promoting sustainable practices.

Host countries and themes of the World Tourism Day

YearHost CountryTheme
2023Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Tourism and Green Investments [3]
2022Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia «Rethinking Tourism»
2021Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast «Tourism for inclusive growth» [4]
2020Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile (Member associate)		«Tourism and rural development» [5]
2019Flag of India.svg  India «Tourism and jobs : a better future for all» [6]
2018Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary «Tourism and the digital transformation» [7]
2017Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar «Sustainable tourism - a tool for development» [8]
2016Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand «Tourism for all – promoting universal accessibility» [9]
2015Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso «1 billion tourists, 1 billion opportunities» [10]
2014Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico «Tourism and community development» [11]
2013Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives «Tourism and water: protecting our common future» [12]
2012Flag of Spain.svg  Spain «Tourism & sustainable energy : powering sustainable development» [13]
2011Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt «Tourism - linking cultures»
2010Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China «Tourism and Biodiversity»
2009Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana «Tourism - celebrating diversity»
2008Flag of Peru.svg  Peru «Tourism: responding to the challenge of climate change» [14]
2007Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka «Tourism opens doors for women» [15]
2006Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal «Tourism Enriches» [16]
2005Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar «Travel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st century»
2004Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia «Sport and tourism: two living forces for mutual understanding, culture and the development of societies»
2003Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria «Tourism: a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony»
2002Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica «Ecotourism, the key to sustainable development»
2001Flag of Iran.svg  Iran «Tourism: a tool for peace and dialogue among civilizations»
2000Flag of Germany.svg  Germany «Technology and nature: two challenges for tourism at the dawn of the twenty-first century»
1999Flag of Chile.svg  Chile «Tourism: preserving world heritage for the new millennium»
1998Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico «Public-private sector partnership: the key to tourism development and promotion»
1997
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«Tourism: a leading activity of the twenty-first century for job creation and environmental protection»
1996
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«Tourism: a factor of tolerance and peace»
1995
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«WTO: serving world tourism for twenty years»
1994
-
«Quality staff, quality tourism»
1993
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«Tourism development and environmental protection: towards a lasting harmony»
1992
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«Tourism: a factor of growing social and economic solidarity and of encounter between people»
1991
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«Communication, information and education: powerlines of tourism development»
1990
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«Tourism: an unrecognized industry, a service to be released»
1989
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«The free movement of tourists creates one world»
1988
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«Tourism: education for all»
1987
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«Tourism for development»
1986
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«Tourism: a vital force for world peace»
1985
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«Youth Tourism: cultural and historical heritage for peace and friendship»
1984
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«Tourism for international understanding, peace and cooperation»
1983
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«Travel and holidays are a right but also a responsibility for all»
1982
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«Pride in travel: good guests and good hosts»
1981
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«Tourism and the quality of life»
1980
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«Tourism's contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding»

Related Research Articles

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Tourism is travel for pleasure, and the commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only", as people "travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure and not less than 24 hours, business and other purposes". Tourism can be domestic or international, and international tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country's balance of payments.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Tourism Organization</span> Specialised agency of the United Nations

UN Tourism is a specialized agency of the United Nations which promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Its headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. Other offices include: a Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific in Nara, Japan and a Regional Office for West Asia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ecotourism</span> Tourism visiting environments

Ecotourism is a form of tourism marketed as "responsible" travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. The stated purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and human rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural tourism</span> Geographical tourism around a country or a region

Cultural tourism is a type of tourism activity in which the visitor's essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination. These attractions/products relate to a set of distinctive material, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional features of a society that encompasses arts and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries and the living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions.

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Overtourism is the congestion or overcrowding from an excess of tourists, resulting in conflicts with locals. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines overtourism as "the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences perceived quality of life of citizens and/or quality of visitor experiences in a negative way". This definition shows how overtourism can be observed both among locals, who view tourism as a disruptive factor that increasingly burdens daily life, as well as visitors, who may regard high numbers of tourists as a nuisance.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 2</span> Global goal to end hunger by 2030

Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to achieve "zero hunger". It is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording is: "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture". SDG 2 highlights the "complex inter-linkages between food security, nutrition, rural transformation and sustainable agriculture". According to the United Nations, there are around 690 million people who are hungry, which accounts for slightly less than 10 percent of the world population. One in every nine people goes to bed hungry each night, including 20 million people currently at risk of famine in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Nigeria.

References

  1. ↑ "World Tourism Day Celebrations | UNWTO".
  2. ↑ "World Tourism Day: Explore the history, significance and 2023 theme". CNBCTV18. CNBC. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023. World Tourism Day traces its origins to a special assembly held in Mexico City on the same date in 1970. During this gathering, the International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO) adopted the Statutes of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Following this milestone, the UNWTO officially established World Tourism Day on September 27, 1980.
  3. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2023". World Tourism Organisation.
  4. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2021: Tourism for Inclusive Growth". UNWTO.
  5. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2020: Tourism & Rural Development". UNWTO.
  6. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2019 | UNWTO".
  7. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2018: Sustainability & digital transformation in tourism | UNWTO".
  8. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2017 | UNWTO".
  9. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2016: Promoting Universal Accessibility | UNWTO".
  10. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2015 | Unwto".
  11. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2014: Tourism and Community Development | UNWTO".
  12. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2013: Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future | UNWTO".
  13. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2012: Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development | UNWTO".
  14. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2008: Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change | UNWTO".
  15. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2007: Tourism Opens Doors for Women | UNWTO".
  16. ↑ "World Tourism Day 2006 | UNWTO".
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