The World Tourism Day is celebrated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation on September 27 to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and to highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals. Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
- 2016 Theme-“Tourism for All – promoting universal accessibility”.
About Tourism Day,
Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted.
- The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. 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.
- Ever since its inception, World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
- As the official day set aside in the United Nations Calendar the celebration seeks to highlight tourisms potential to contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing some of the most pressing challenges society is faced with today.
- On this year’s World Tourism Day help us spread the word of both the importance and immense benefits universal accessibility has and can bring to society at large.
TOF Tigers Award:
The sustainable nature tourism action charity, TOF Tigers in association with India’s premier wildlife magazine Sanctuary Asia and India’s best known travel magazine, Outlook Traveller, have combined to bring together the 4th TOF Tigers Wildlife Tourism Awards 2016.
- 4th TOF Tigers Wildlife Tourism Awards 2016 honoured men and women working to restore the green cover of India and Nepal in multiple ways.
- The awards, which were given in nine categories, also accompanied a prize upto Rs 75,000. Other than that, it also offers equipment to be used in tiger conservation or services for the benefit of destination or community.
- The event hosted by the British High Commissioner Dominic Asquith KCMG, had in attendance Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, acclaimed naturalist Valmik Thapar and chairman awards panel film maker Mike Pandey amongst others.
About Sugama Sancharam :
To mark the world tourism day today, Kerala Tourism will organise Sugama Sancharam – barrier-free-travel – a unique event that will take about 100 differently abled delegates for a one-day tour. Tourism Minister A.C. Moideen launched the initiative in the capital this morning and many differently abled multi-talented personalities will grace the occasion.
About Kerala Travel Mart :
The ninth edition of the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in the state, Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), organised by the Kerala Travel Mart Society in association with the Department of Tourism held in Kochi.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event. The three-day Mart held at Samudrika and Sagara Convention Centre, Willington Island.
- As many as 57 foreign countries will be represented at the trade event this year, including 10 first-time participants.
- The ninth edition of the biennial event focused on ‘Responsible Tourism’ and ‘Muziris and Spice Route. The new entrants to KTM include China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Georgia, Chile, Greece, Iran and Botswana.
- The exhibition venue had 265 stalls featuring a range of products, packages and services. The number of registered international delegates has swelled to 560. Domestic participation is also good with 1,304 domestic buyers participated.
ITDC Logo :
India Tourism Development Corporation, a PSU under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on completion of its 50 Year of inception on 1st October 2016 launched a Logo marking the Golden Jubilee of ITDC.
- The Logo was unveiled by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism and Culture in presence of Shri Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, M/oTourism and other senior officers of Ministry of Tourism and ITDC.