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 (SDGs).
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 – World Tourism Organization (the United Nations specialized agency entrusted with the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism) 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.
UN World Tourism Organization invited its member states including Uganda, 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.
According to the official message by Zurab Pololikashvili Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2021, read;
“The human desire to travel and explore is universal, which is why tourism must be open for everyone to enjoy.
So too must the many social and economic benefits that tourism brings be available to everybody.
World Tourism Day 2021 highlights the power of ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’.”
Happy #WorldTourismDay!
Today @UNWTO highlights tourism’s power to bridge gaps of opportunity across the globe.
Because everyone who has a stake in tourism should also have a say in the sector’s future! pic.twitter.com/Zdpo4XgQCr
— Zurab Pololikashvili (@pololikashvili) September 27, 2021
“By celebrating this day, we state our commitment that, as tourism grows, the benefits that come will be felt at every level of our broad and diverse sector, from the biggest airline to the smallest family business.”
As part of World Tourism Day celebrations, the Uganda Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) rolled out a number of exciting activities including Q&A series, media talk shows by the leading voices in the Uganda tourism sector. The ministry held an E-conference on how tourism promotes inclusive growth on 27 September 2021.
The main world tourism day celebrations in Uganda took place at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, with few invites for government organisation, development partners, and the private sector.
Happy World Tourism Day 2021 from us all at @RespTourismUg
