The United Nations(UN)’s World Tourism Day(WTD) is annually observed across the globe on 27th September to create awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on social, economic and political aspects of a region. The day also highlights the contributions of the tourism sector towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
WTD 2021:
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on “Tourism for Inclusive Growth” as the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact on both developed and developing countries.
Background:
i.In September 1979, during the 3rd session of the UNWTO General Assembly held in Torremolinos, Spain, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to proclaim the 27th September of every year as the “World Tourism Day” starting from 1980.
ii.The first World Tourism Day was observed on 27th September 1980.
Why September 27?
September 27th was chosen to commemorate the adoption of UNWTO statutes on 27th September 1970.
Tourism and SDG:
According to the UN, tourism is recognised as the pillar of most of the SDGs especially, Goals 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduce inequalities).
Impacts of COVID-19 on Tourism:
The COVID-19 impacts on tourism have resulted in more than 4 trillion USD loss to the global economy.
The tourism experts do not expect a return to pre-COVID arrival levels until 2023 or later.
UNWTO expects that domestic tourism will return before international tourism.
One in every 10 people across the globe are employed in the tourism sector, the covid-19 pandemic has affected 100-120 million direct tourism jobs.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched “Dekho Mere Dilli”:
On the occasion of World Tourism Day 2021, Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister(CM) of Delhi launched “Dekho Mere Dilli”, the Official Tourism App of Delhi Government, Government of NCT of Delhi, to promote Tourism in Delhi.
The mobile app is offered by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Dev. Corp. Ltd.
Tourists can use this mobile app to plan their trip to Delhi and buy tickets for the tourist sites in Delhi.
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO):
UNWTO is a leading UN international agency in the field of tourism.
Secretary-General- Zurab Pololikashvili
Headquarters– Madrid, Spain
