World Tourism Day 2023: Date, Theme, History, Significance and More

World Tourism Day 2023: It is observed on September 27 to raise awareness among people about the importance of tourism and how it helps in the economic growth of the country or any region. Let us read more about World Tourism Day, its 2021 theme, history, and significance.

World Tourism Day 2023:  Both developed and developing economies have been hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had an enormous social and economic impact. Marginalized groups and therefore the most vulnerable are hit hardest of all. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth.

World Tourism Day is observed on September 27  to highlight the significance of tourism as a tool for global development and cultural enlightenment. No doubt countries all over the world whether big or small some or the other way depend upon tourism for its economic survival and highlight their cultural, social, and political values. It is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of tourism and its potential contribution to sustainable development.

World Tourism Day 2023: Theme

World Tourism Day 2022's theme is "Rethinking Tourism." In order to capitalize on this chance to rethink how we do tourism in order to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient industry, Indonesia will be the host nation for this year's official celebration.

The theme of World Tourism Day 2021 is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.” The day focuses on Tourism for Inclusive Growth.

The theme of World Tourism Day 2019 was ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all. It focuses on generating more and better jobs, especially for youth and women. To generate an opportunity for work is also mentioned in Sustainable Development Goal 8. New policies should be generated to reflect and incorporate ongoing advances in technology. The program was held in India's capital city Delhi to draw attention to the challenges outlined in the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations and how the tourism industry can help meet these challenges. 

According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), digital advances and innovation are a part of the solution to the challenge of fulfilling the continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector.

The theme of World Tourism Day 2018 was “Tourism and Cultural Protection” and for 2017 was “Sustainable Tourism – a tool for development”.

Tourism has an instrumental role in promoting cultural knowledge and awareness, offering the necessary tools and public opinion support in protecting world heritage. The main role of World Tourism Day is to highlight the global significance of tourism. According to the European Council on Tourism and Trade, Tourism is the greatest educator in the world.

World Tourism Day: History

A special assembly was held in Mexico City on 27 September, 1970 by the International Union of Official Travel Organisation (IUOTO) and adopted the Statutes of the World Tourism Organisation. Then, UNWTO decided in late September 1979 to institute World Tourism Day. The first time it was celebrated on 27 September, 1980.

Do you know why 27 September is chosen for World Tourism Day because this date coincided with an important milestone in world tourism i.e. the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September, 1970? Also, according to the UNWTO, the date is appropriate for World Tourism Day because it comes at the end of the high tourist season in the northern hemisphere and the start of the tourist season in the southern hemisphere. With a different theme, every year this day is celebrated with full enthusiasm.  

World Tourism Day: Significance

The main purpose of celebrating World Tourism Day is to raise the importance of tourism worldwide and to show the general public how tourism affects not only the economic values of a country or region but also it affects the social, political, and cultural values of the country or region.

In the October session of World Tourism Day, 1997 in Istanbul, Turkey, the United Nations 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.

Celebrations of World Tourism Day 2019 were in Delhi, India. India hosted World Tourism Day for the first time because of its geographical features. India is famous for its diversity. So, it can offer tourists various cuisines, adventurous places, history, music forms, languages, etc. UNWTO stressed the importance of tourism and technology providing opportunities for innovation and creating the jobs of the future. Our Heritage and Culture can be protected by ensuring that during exhibitions, people should be taught about the importance of our Heritage for current and for future generations. It is important to protect flora and fauna.  

World Tourism Day is celebrated in a number of different ways. On this day amusement parks, museums, and other cultural venues give free entry or reduce the charges of entry tickets to attract tourists and foster tourism.

In the end, we can’t ignore the fact that tourism has become the continuously growing and developing economic sector worldwide because of the occurrence of various attractive and new destinations for tourists. So, now it has become the main source of income for developing countries.