World Tourism Day: Hoping for demand revival

World tourism day has been held on 27 September each year since 1980. The date marks the anniversary of the adoption of the statutes of the organization in 1970, paving the way for the establishment of UNWTO five years later.

Establishment of world tourism day: It was at its third session (Torremolinos, Spain, September 1979), that the UNWTO General Assembly decided to institute world tourism day, commencing in the year 1980. The timing of world tourism day is particularly appropriate in that it comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere.

World tourism day 2020

'Tourism and rural development' celebrates the sector's unique ability to drive economic development and provide opportunities outside of big cities, including in those communities that would otherwise be left behind. World tourism day 2020 also highlights the important role tourism plays in preserving and promoting culture and heritage all around the world.

World tourism day 2019

Tourism is a major source of employment because of its labour-intensive nature and the significant multiplier effect on employment in related sectors. It is estimated that one job in the core tourism sector creates about one-and-a-half additional or indirect jobs in the tourism-related economy. Overall tourism accounts for one in ten jobs worldwide.

World tourism day 2018

Harnessing innovation and digital advances provides tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda.

World tourism day 2017

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.

World tourism day 2016

Accessible Tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are travelling or staying at home. May that be due to a disability, even temporary, families with small children, or the ageing population, at some point in our lives, sooner or later, we all benefit of universal accessibility in tourism.

World tourism day 2015: 1 billion tourists, 1 billion opportunities

World tourism day 2014

It has been celebrated around the world under the theme Tourism and Community Development - focusing on the ability of tourism to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their local communities. World tourism day 2013: In support of United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, World Tourism Day (WTD) 2013 was held under the theme tourism and water: Protecting our common future.

World tourism day 2012

Tourism, one of the world's largest economic sectors, has already taken important steps towards this future – improving energy efficiency and increasingly using renewable energy technologies in its operations. These steps are creating jobs, lifting people out of poverty and helping to protect the planet.

World tourism day 2010 – China - tourism and biodiversity

World tourism day 2009 – Ghana - tourism - celebrating diversity

World tourism day 2008: tourism

World tourism day 2007: Tourism opens doors for women

World tourism day 2007

World tourism day 2007 (WTD 2007) took place in Bentota, Sri Lanka under the theme tourism opens doors for women in support of UN's third Millennium Development Goal (MDG): Promoting gender equality and women empowerment.

World tourism day 2006

Every year the United Nations designates special days to commemorate particular events or activities. September 27th is the day on which we celebrate the phenomenon that is Tourism. Sustainable tourism is firmly positioned in the 2030 Agenda. Achieving this agenda, however, requires a clear implementation framework, adequate financing and investment in technology, infrastructure and human resources.