On September 27, Bali, Indonesia, will host the official World Tourism Day event, reflecting the change in perception of tourism’s role as an essential development pillar.
The International Day of Observance this year, with the topic “Rethinking Tourism,” will center on re-imagining the sector’s expansion, both in terms of scale and importance. The official day (September 27) will be held in the Republic of Indonesia, but the other UNWTO Member States, non-members, and stakeholders from the whole business sector are welcome to conduct their festivities and help spread awareness of the day and its main subject.
“The potential of tourism is enormous, and we have a shared responsibility to make sure it is fully realized. On World Tourism Day 2022, UNWTO calls on everyone, from tourism workers to tourists themselves, as well as small businesses, large corporations, and governments to reflect and rethink what we do and how we do it,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO.
The potential of tourism is enormous, and we have a shared responsibility to make sure it is fully realized — Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UNWTO
At the beginning of this year, there were twice as many foreign visitors than there were in 2021. Arrivals in some areas have reached or even surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Many millions of individuals throughout the world will experience optimism and opportunity when the last remaining travel restrictions are lifted along with increasing consumer confidence. There is no question that the tourist sector has to undergo significant rethinking to address sustainability and climate change issues. However, rather than just giving it lip service on a specific day, all tourist sectors ought to embrace it as a true year-round commitment.
To achieve tourism’s potential as a tool for recovery and change, World Tourism Day 2022 aims to:
- Offer a forum for open discussion to pinpoint answers.
- Promote the idea that tourism can be a motivating and transformative force, as well as the UNWTO’s and the industry’s collective roles in realizing this potential.
- To guarantee that tourism is a key component of policymaking, mobilize political will and collaboration.
- Ask important questions and find answers to reorient tourism for the future.
The 27th of September has been designated as World Tourism Day annually since 1980. On this day in 1970, the Organization’s Statutes were adopted for the first time, laying the path for the creation of UNWTO five years later.
