World Tourism Day
Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. This day is also the day when the peak tourism season in the Northern Hemisphere meets the peak tourism season in the Southern Hemisphere.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
At its Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing, China, in October 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East.
The late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian national, was the one who proposed the idea of marking September 27 of every year as World Tourism Day. He was finally recognized for his contribution in 2009. The colour of World Tourism Day is Blue.
World Tourism Day's primary objective is to highlight the significance of tourism on a global scale. Apart from the economic impact that tourism brings to a country, it also plays a role in influencing the social, political and cultural environment of the countries.<ref name="UNWTO RS">Template:Cite news</ref>
The primary objective of World Tourism Day is to underscore the importance of tourism on a global scale. Beyond its economic impact, tourism significantly influences the social, political, and cultural fabric of countries and regions. By celebrating this day, nations seek to emphasise that tourism is not just about revenue; it is also about fostering connections, understanding diverse cultures and promoting sustainable practices.
Host countries and themes of the World Tourism Day
| Year | Host Country | Theme | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Melaka, Template:Country | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2024 | Template:Country | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2023 | Template:Country | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2022 | Template:Country | «Rethinking Tourism» | ||
| 2021 | Template:CIV | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2020 | {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}Template:ARG Template:BRA Template:PAR Template:URU Template:CHI (Member associate) |
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| 2019 | {{#invoke:flag | India}} | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2018 | Template:HUN | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2017 | Template:QAT | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2016 | Template:THA | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2015 | Template:BFA | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2014 | Template:MEX | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2013 | Template:MDV | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2012 | Template:ESP | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2011 | Template:EGY | «Tourism - linking cultures» | ||
| 2010 | Template:CHN | «Tourism and Biodiversity» | ||
| 2009 | Template:GHA | «Tourism - celebrating diversity» | ||
| 2008 | Template:PER | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2007 | Template:LKA | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2006 | Template:PRT | citation | CitationClass=web
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| 2005 | Template:QAT | «Travel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st century» | ||
| 2004 | Template:MYS | «Sport and tourism: two living forces for mutual understanding, culture and the development of societies» | ||
| 2003 | Template:DZA | «Tourism: a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony» | ||
| 2002 | Template:CRI | «Ecotourism, the key to sustainable development» | ||
| 2001 | Template:IRN | «Tourism: a tool for peace and dialogue among civilizations» | ||
| 2000 | Template:DEU | «Technology and nature: two challenges for tourism at the dawn of the twenty-first century» | ||
| 1999 | Template:CHL | «Tourism: preserving world heritage for the new millennium» | ||
| 1998 | Template:MEX | «Public-private sector partnership: the key to tourism development and promotion» | ||
| 1997 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism: a leading activity of the twenty-first century for job creation and environmental protection» | ||
| 1996 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism: a factor of tolerance and peace» | ||
| 1995 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «WTO: serving world tourism for twenty years» | ||
| 1994 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Quality staff, quality tourism» | ||
| 1993 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism development and environmental protection: towards a lasting harmony» | ||
| 1992 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism: a factor of growing social and economic solidarity and of encounter between people» | ||
| 1991 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Communication, information and education: powerlines of tourism development» | ||
| 1990 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism: an unrecognized industry, a service to be released» | ||
| 1989 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «The free movement of tourists creates one world» | ||
| 1988 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism: education for all» | ||
| 1987 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism for development» | ||
| 1986 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism: a vital force for world peace» | ||
| 1985 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Youth Tourism: cultural and historical heritage for peace and friendship» | ||
| 1984 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism for international understanding, peace and cooperation» | ||
| 1983 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Travel and holidays are a right but also a responsibility for all» | ||
| 1982 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Pride in travel: good guests and good hosts» | ||
| 1981 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism and the quality of life» | ||
| 1980 | check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | «Tourism's contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding» |