#WORLD TOURISM DAY 2017: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT

HAPPY WORLD TOURISM DAY!

Are you a responsible traveler?

Yesterday 27th September, the world celebrated world tourism day, and the celebration is still on in some part of the world as part of events lined up to show case the various countries tourism potentials.

World Tourism Day has been celebrated since 1980 on September 27, the day in which the statutes of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) formally came into force. It has been celebrated over the last 37 years without fail under different themes. Besides discourse on the theme and goodwill messages from the United Nations and UNWTO secretary general respectively, the celebration is meant to give global attention to the socio-cultural and economic benefits of tourism among others.

Speaking on this year’s WTD, the outgoing UNWTO Secretary General General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, said that: “Last year alone, 1.235 million travelers crossed international borders in one single year. By 2030, this 1.2 billion will become 1.8 billion. The question, as we celebrate World Tourism Day 2017, is how we can enable this powerful global transformative force, these 1.8 billion opportunities, to contribute to make this world a better place and to advance sustainable development in all its three pillars. This World Tourism Day, whenever you travel, wherever you travel, remember to respect nature, respect culture and respect your host.’’

The Qatar celebration as agreed by the UNWTO General Assembly was structured around two sessions focused on ‘tourism as a driver of economic growth’ and ‘tourism and the planet: committed to a greener future.’

As the United Nations General Assembly affirmed when announcing the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, tourism can contribute to all the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – and each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Not only does the sector spearhead growth, it also improves the quality of people’s lives. It can bolster environmental protection, champion diverse cultural heritage, and strengthen peace in the world.

Also on the agenda was the presentation of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy, which advances sustainable approaches. The initiative is aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on economic, social and human development and prioritizes tourism as a catalyst to progress towards a more diversified economy.
Different activities are expected to be staged round cities and towns by different member countries of UNWTO to mark the day with both the public and private sector banding together to pull through these events.

In this spirit, World Tourism Day 2017 presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the international community, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change.

Join us in celebrating this special day! #WTD2017 #IY2017 #TravelEnjoyRespect

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Source: https://newtelegrtransformativeaphonline.com/2017/09/world-tourism-day-sept-27/