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“Whenever you travel, wherever you travel just remember to respect nature, your culture, and your host”
These words by the Secretary- General of UNWTO mark the essence of ‘World Tourism Day”. Many people around the world recognise the spirit of this day and celebrate it every year, on 27 September. This day aims at raising awareness about the role of tourism;within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide. This year, the theme selected for the same is-Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all. The host country decided to celebrate the day in 2019 is ‘India.’
Every year, UNWTO invites people of all ages and backgrounds to hold and take part in WTD celebrations in their respective countries or holiday destinations. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UNWTO issues a message each year to mark the occasion and chairs the official celebrations.
Tourism has become one of the most upcoming sectors in the world. With time, the sector has undergone great diversification and development and has now become a symbol of growth for many countries. These dynamics converted tourism into a key-driver for socio-economic progress. Around the world, it has now become a sector that is the main driving force of the national income for many developing countries.
With the development of tourism through the years, UNWTO in late September 1979 recognised the importance of universal growth with the strengthening of this sector and decided to institute World Tourism Day, which was first celebrated on September 27, 1980. This day was chosen as the date for World Tourism day mainly because it coincided with an important milestone: the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statues on September, 1970.
The UNWTO also believes that September 27 is the appropriate time to celebrate ‘World Tourism Day’ because this period comes at the end of the happening tourist season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the tourist season in the southern hemisphere- the time when the prospect of tourism attracts millions worldwide.
This specific day was also chosen as at this day the laws of the UNWTO came into drive in the year 1970 which is considered as an enormous point of interest for the worldwide tourism as it plans to spread awareness about the landmark part of the tourism inside the universal group and in addition also seeks to display how the social, monetary, social, political qualities are influenced by it all inclusive.
Each year, the chosen theme for this day highlights an important aspect of tourism and the host country celebrates the day with great enthusiasm and fervour.
This year, in line with UNWTO’s overarching focus on skills, education and jobs throughout the year, World Tourism Day will be a celebration on the topic ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all’. Tourism’s role in job creation is often undervalued and with the growing strength of this sector, this September 27 would be a realisation of tourism’s potential to create more and better jobs, especially for women and youth.
Every country celebrates ‘World Tourism Day’ in its own unique style. While some regions organise promotional events, other offer free entry, discounts etc to tourists visiting a popular destination. However, one common thing that every location shares is the enthusiasm with which people come together to mark this day.
This year, with India becoming the host country for the celebrations of ‘World Tourism Day’, here are some ways through which you can expect India to show the true spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ this September.
The visitors are greeted in different traditional ways in different states. While some are greeted with rosebuds, others are welcomed through marigold garlands. Music programs are held and cultural performances are showcased. Many states also hold special ceremonies, like for instance in Kolkata, ‘World Tourism Day’ was observed with cheers at Digha, a seaside destination accessible from Kolkata. The lamps were lit and a dove was released to inaugurate the celebration.
As a mark of the “World Tourism Day’ celebration, free entries are offered to tourists to many popular destinations. The act of gifting souvenirs to the guests also makes the experience truly memorable. Various competitions like tourism photography and videography competitions are also held and the winners are offered cash prizes. This is a great way to infuse tourists with the local culture and people of India.
Special travel and tourism exhibitions are conducted to promote tourist activities. The exhibitions involve everything- displays of traditional souvenirs, dance performances, musical celebrations and depiction of local traditions.
Other activities like cleaning of public areas like parks and organising sermons are also encouraged. Adventure sports are also sometimes organised to add a dash of exhilaration to this day.
Educational Institutions celebrate this day in their own ways. For instance, the previous year, the Tourist Department of Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with several academic institutions offered a taste of hospitality to domestic and foreign tourists at different spots in the holy city. The students of Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Tourism Studies, and History of Art and Tourism Administration participated in the program, on this occasion.
‘World Tourism Day’ is undoubtedly a great initiative undertaken by ‘United Nations World Trade Organisation’ to raise awareness of the role of tourism within the international committee and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
India has taken great strides in the field of tourism during the previous many years and tourism, being a cornerstone of today’s economy, acts as a major source of employment for many.
Hence, this year’s theme of coupling tourism with job opportunities fits right into the framework of the Indian context – as the country gears up to welcome tourists on this day with the true Indian spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava.’
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April 15, 2024 
