World Tourism Day (WTD) is observed globally on September 27 every year to raise awareness about tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic significance.
- The year 2025 marks the 45th anniversary of the WTD
Exam Hints:
- What? World Tourism Day 2025
- When? September 27, 2025
- Establishment: 1980; by UNWTO
- 2025 Theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.
- Host 2025: Melaka, Malaysia; 7th World Tourism Conference.
- India’s 2024 Rank: 20th in global arrivals; 20.57 million arrivals.
- Vision 2047: USD 3 trillion tourism economy.
Theme 2025 & Focus:
Theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.
- The theme emphasized structural transformation of the sector instead of minor adjustments.
Official host for WTD 2025: Melaka, Malaysia, where the 7th World Tourism Conference will explore sustainable investment, inclusive tourism, and technology’s role in transformation.
Key Focus Areas:
- Inclusive Governance: Local communities, women, youth, and marginalized groups in decision-making.
- Regenerative Practices: Conservation, waste management, and nature restoration.
- Equitable Benefit Sharing: Ensuring grassroots-level stakeholders receive financial gains from tourism.
- Smart Investment: Promoting green infrastructure and community-owned businesses.
Background of World Tourism Day
Establishment: The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), headquartered in Madrid, Spain, instituted WTD in 1980.
Reason: The date marks the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27th September 1970, a milestone in global tourism governance.
Decision: At the 12th UNWTO General Assembly Session, Istanbul, Turkey (1997), it was decided to designate an annual host country for WTD celebrations.
India’s Celebration of WTD 2025:
2025: The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (GoI) held celebrations on 27 September 2025 under the same theme, engaging government, industry, academia, and civil society.
Key Initiatives:
- Project Management Information System (PMIS): Digital platform for real-time monitoring of tourism infrastructure projects.
- India Tourism Statistics 2025 (66th Edition): Showcased record growth in domestic and international arrivals.
- Guide to MUDRA Loans for Homestays: Launched via Jan Samarth Portal to support small-scale tourism entrepreneurs.
Vision (Viksit Bharat@2047): To become a USD 3 trillion tourism economy by 2047
Global & Indian Tourism Statistics
Global Travel & Tourism Contribution (2024): USD 10.9 trillion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP); supported 357 million jobs.
India’s Contribution (2024): Approx. Rs. 20.9 trillion, ~6.6% of GDP, up 20% from 2019.
India’s Position: Ranked 20th globally with 20.57 million international arrivals (2024).
- Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) – 9.95 million.
- Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Arrivals – 10.62 million.
- Tourism Receipts – Rs. 2,93,033 crore (USD 35.02 billion).
Top 5 Source Markets for India:
- United States (18.13%); Bangladesh (17.59%); United Kingdom (10.28%); Australia (5.21%); Canada (4.79%)
Data and Challenges
Tourist Waste: Could rise to 205 million tonnes annually by 2034 (7% of global solid waste).
Current Generation: 1.6 kg/person/day waste from tourists, double the resident average.
Ecotourism Market: Expected to reach USD 279 billion in 2025, up from USD 247 billion in 2023.
Traveller Attitudes: Surveys show 84% of travellers deem sustainable travel important
- In lodging, 93% plan greener choices, 53% factor impact on community
About United Nations World Tourism Organization(UN WTO):
The UN WTO / UN Tourism is the UN agency responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
Secretary-General– Zurab Pololikashvili
Headquarters – Madrid, Spain
Established – 1970
