World Tourism Day - 27 September

Tags: Important Days

World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 27 September to raise global awareness about the important role of tourism in the world economy.

An Overview of the News

• According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the economic impact of tourism is equal to or even greater than that of industries such as oil exports.

• The theme of World Tourism Day in 2023 is "Tourism and Green Investment".

• To mark World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO is hosting a two-day conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background of World Tourism Day:

• The decision to celebrate 27 September as World Tourism Day was made during the third session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Torremolinos, Spain in September 1979.

• World Tourism Day was celebrated for the first time in 1980.

UNWTO:

• UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1975.

• Its primary mission is to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism encompassing various forms of tourism, including marine, coastal and inland water tourism.

• UNWTO consists of 159 member countries and 6 associate members.

• The headquarters of the organization is located in Madrid, Spain.

• The Secretary-General of UNWTO is Zurab Pololikashvili, a citizen of Georgia.