Ever since 1980, World Tourism Day is celebrated annually across the world on September 27.
It was on this day in 1970 when the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted which are considered a milestone in global tourism.
UNWTO celebrated the first World Tourism Day as an international observance on September 27, 1980.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the important of tourism in affecting the social, cultural, political and economic values of international community.
In current times, it is important to raise awareness about the tourism sector given that 90% of World Heritages Sites closed as a result of the pandemic and young people in rural communities are three times more likely to be unemployed.
Tourism has been among the hardest hit of all sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. No country has been unaffected.
Restrictions on travel and a sudden drop in consumer demand have led to an unprecedented fall in international tourism numbers, which in turn have led to economic loss and the loss of jobs.
Data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs are at risk.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) forecasts a loss of 1.5 to 2.8 per cent of global GDP.
Significance and Theme for 2020 on World Tourism Day:
The 2020 edition of World Tourism Day, with the theme of “Tourism and Rural Development”, will celebrate the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage all around the world.
In the October session of World Tourism Day, 1997 at Istanbul, Turkey, the United Nation’s World Trade Organisations General Assembly decided to designate a host country every year to act as a partner during the celebration of World Tourism Day.
