Ñåíòÿáðü, 2009
WORLD TOURISM DAY
WORLD TOURISM
DAY (WTD) WILL
COMMEMORATE ITS
XXXTH ANNIVERSARY
THIS YEAR
UNWTO Secretary-General a.i.Taleb Rifai
World Tourism Day is celebrated
every year on 27 September. Its
purpose is to foster awareness
among the international community of
the importance of tourism and its social,
cultural, political and economic value.
World Tourism Day will commemorate
on 27 September its 30 th anniversary
in Ghana under the theme «Tourism –
Celebrating Diversity».
Other than adding perspective to the
role of globalization in balancing tourism
influx and environmental and cultural
sustainability, this year’s theme also aims
to shed light on the most human side
of the industry – its capacity to build
understanding, foster social inclusion and
promote higher standards of living.
UNWTO Secretary-General a.i., Taleb Rifai,
underscores tourism’s potential as a reliable job
creator and contributor to economic wealth:
«There is increasing awareness of
tourism’s role as a productive activity
and its undisputed potential to generate
employment, government income and other
benefits whether directly or through induced
effects in the economy. Tourism is a global
industry and as such has a responsibility to
make positive contributions world wide.
Diversity is one of the driving forces behind
tourism and can allow all nations to share the
numerous benefits brought about by building
stronger ties with other countries. As such,
tourism is an undisputed catalyst for building
understanding, fostering social inclusion and
promoting higher standards of living.
This type of unity and collaboration is
increasingly important as the world comes
2
together to face climate change and ensure
sustainable development, particularly in
the context of the current economic crisis.
These worldwide partnerships allow for
a more effective and global response to
issues which concern us all.
Globalization must be understood as a
means to improve economic collaboration
and international understanding, but not at
the cost of diluting the rich cultural diversity
present in our world; in this respect, travel
and tourism can and must play a key role.
Tourism shares the social responsibility
of promoting the positive aspects of
globalization and as such must direct these
global networks towards balanced and
sustainable development.
It is against this background that over
the years WTD has become a renowned
event that has successfully addressed key,
tourism related global socio-economic,
cultural and political issues».