Today is the World Tourism Organization, and at Swiss Travel we are proud to work everyday following the guidelines of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as tourism is considered one of the main ways to achieve the Goals by 2030.

This is the official press release about this important celebration, from the UNWTO:

The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  had  a  massive  social  and  economic  impact.  Both developed   and developing economies have been hit. And marginalized groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly.

UNWTO has therefore designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on Tourism for Inclusive Growth. This is an opportunity to look beyond tourism statistics and acknowledge that, behind every number, there is a person.  UNWTO invites its Member States,  as  well  as  non-members, sister UN agencies, businesses and individuals to celebrate tourism’s unique ability to ensure that nobody is left behind as the world begins to open up again and look to the future.

World  Tourism  Day,  celebrated  each  year  on  27  September,  is  the  global  observance  day fostering  awareness  of  tourism’s  social,  cultural,  political  and  economic  value  and  the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

A Global Challenge

An  additional  32  million  people  were  pushed  into  extreme  poverty  in  20201.  In least-developed countries especially, women have been hit hardest by the global crisis caused by the pandemic.  One  reason  for  this  is  that  they  mainly  work  in  the  sectors most-affected by the pandemic – including tourism.

The most vulnerable members of societies have been less able to cope with the social and economic affects of the pandemic.  Furthermore, low-paid workers, youth, the elderly, indigenous communities, and differently abled people, are in many cases also less likely to have the resources or opportunities to bounce back from adversity.

The Second Principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development  Goals  (SDGs)  is  to  “Leave  No  One  Behind”.2  This  pledge, made  by  all  UN  Member  States  and  its  various  Agencies,  including  UNWTO,  is  more relevant than ever. There is a duty to ensure that as growth returns, it actually improves lives.

UNWTO  is  fully  committed  to  the  UN  Decade  of  Action  to  deliver  the  Global  Goals, and has also contributed to the guiding principles of “The Future We Want, the UN We Need”, the broad call contributing to transforming our world.

Tourism’s Role in Inclusive Recovery

Tourism has a unique ability to make sure nobody is left behind, as recognized in the Year of Tourism for Inclusive Development and World Tourism Day 2021. The sector is a recognized pillar of most – if not all – the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (reduce inequalities).

UNWTO  as  the  United  Nations  specialized  agency  for  responsible  and  sustainable tourism,  is  guiding  the  global  sector  towards  inclusive  recovery  and  growth.  UNWTO ensures  every  part  of  the  sector  has  a  say  in  its  future  –  including  communities, minorities, youth and those who would otherwise be at risk of being left behind.

For tourism’s restart and growth to be as inclusive as possible, UNWTO focuses on:

 •Partnerships: Tourism’s relevance has never been more relevant. Now is the time

to  grow  the  sector’s  role  in  other  parts  of  the  development  agenda.  Embracing the  UN  Reform  to  strengthen  UN  support  at  country  level,  partnerships  with  sister UN agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International  Labor Organization, the  UN  Conference  on  Trade  and  Development (UNCTAD)  and  UN  Women,  as  well  as  with  international  organizations,  are  key  to ensuring the benefits that will come with tourism’s growth are felt outside of the sector itself and help advance wider progress.

•Advocacy:  Tourism’s importance is increasingly recognized at the highest political level. UNWTO works with governments to ensure domestic and international tourism is inclusive, taking into account the needs and goals of a diverse range of stakeholders, including those who may be left behind.  World Tourism Day 2021 provides an opportunity for governments worldwide to promote tourism’s role in inclusive growth and identify how further progress can be made. 

•Looking to the Future: Unlocking the potential of the tourism ecosystem and broad value  chain,  and  investments  facilitation  in  tourism  can  deliver  more  inclusive  and sustainable growth in new areas, including for traditionally-marginalized communities. Alongside this, expanding access to tourism education and delivering sector-specific training will give everybody the chance to benefit from tourism’s future growth.

Tourism for Inclusive Growth

World Tourism Day 2021 is a unique occasion to amplify the conversation about sector’s role in recovery and growth. UNWTO invites its Member States and Affiliate Members, and  also  sister  UN  agencies,  international  organizations,  destinations  businesses  and individual travellers to be an active part of the day: 

•UNWTO Members:  Inclusive tourism growth is central to UNWTO’s mission. World Tourism Day is an opportunity for Member States and Affiliate Members to reaffirm their commitment to this mission through sharing best practices, showcasing successes and ensuring the principle of inclusive growth informs decision making at the highest political and business level. 

•UN  Agencies  and  International  Organizations:  UNWTO  calls  on  its  sister  UN agencies  to  use  the  occasion  of  World  Tourism  Day  to  recognize  the  role  tourism plays in their respective fields, from fair trade and climate action to gender equality, indigenous rights and opportunities for youth. 

•Destinations  and  Businesses:  Ideas  and  commitments  are  nothing  if  they  are not  put  into  action.  World  Tourism  Day  is  a  chance  for  a  diverse  range  of  tourism stakeholders, including destinations and businesses of all sizes, to explore how they can  be  more  inclusive  as  tourism  restarts,  to  share  best  practices  and  to  celebrate achievements.

 •Individual Tourists: Tourism is all about people and experiences. World Tourism Day will reflect this. Individual tourists are called on to be part of the conversation, sharing their thoughts on how the sector’s growth can be more inclusive.

World Tourism Organization