World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day

Basic Information

World Tourism Day is an annual event observed on 27 September to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community.


Observed on: 27 September

Organized by: UN, UNWTO

Introduced in: 1980

Observed: Worldwide


About World Tourism Day

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) celebrates World Tourism Day on every year September 27. The date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statues of the UNWTO were adopted. The day is celebrating in every year on September 27 from 1980 onwards.

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. From 1998 onwards the day is celebrated with a host country.


Activities and Programs on Tourism Day

Many tourism enterprises and organizations, as well as government agencies with a special interest in tourism, celebrate the event with various special events and activities. The activities and events include competitions and awards to promote tourism, government and other organizations also conduct different events to mark this day.


Theme for World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day 2020 Theme is “Tourism and Rural Development

World Tourism Day 2019 Theme is “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all

World Tourism Day 2018 Theme was “Tourism and the Digital Transformation

2017 Theme: Sustainable Tourism – a tool for development

2016 Theme: Tourism for All – promoting universal accessibility

2015 Theme: Millions of tourists, millions of opportunities

2014 Theme: Tourism and Community Development

2013 Theme: Tourism and Water: Protecting our common future

2012 Theme: Tourism and Energetic Sustainability

2011 Theme: Tourism Linking Cultures

2010 Theme: Tourism and Biodiversity

2009 Theme: Tourism – Celebrating Diversity

2008 Theme: Tourism responding to the Challenges of climate change and global warming

2007 Theme: Tourism opens doors for women

2006 Theme: Tourism Enriches

2005 Theme: Travel and transport: from imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st century

2004 Theme: Sport and tourism: two living forces for mutual understanding, culture and the development of societies

2003 Theme: Tourism: a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony

2002 Theme: Ecotourism, the key to sustainable development

2001 Theme: Tourism: a toll for peace and dialogue among civilizations

2000 Theme: Technology and nature: two challenges for tourism at the dawn of the twenty-first century

1999 Theme: Tourism: preserving world heritage for the new millennium

1998 Theme: Public-private sector partnership: the key to tourism development and promotion

1997 Theme: Tourism: a leading activity of the twenty-first century for job creation and environmental protection

1996 Theme: Tourism: a factor of tolerance and peace

1995 Theme: WTO: serving world tourism for twenty years

1994 Theme: Quality staff, quality tourism

1993 Theme: Tourism development and environment protection: towards a lasting harmony

1992 Theme: Tourism: a factor of growing social and economic solidarity and of encounter between people

1991 Theme: Communication, information and education: powerlines of tourism development

1990 Theme: Tourism: an unrecognized industry, a service to be released

1989 Theme: The free movement of tourists creates one world

1988 Theme: Tourism: education for all

1987 Theme: Tourism for development

1986 Theme: Tourism: a vital force for world peace

1985 Theme: Youth Tourism: cultural and historical heritage for peace and friendship

1984 Theme: Tourism for international understanding, peace and cooperation

1983 Theme: Travel and holidays are a right but also a responsibility for all

1982 Theme: Pride in travel: goo guests and good hosts

1981 Theme: Tourism and the quality of life

1980 Theme: Tourism’s contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding


Click here for List of Important Days or UN Observations

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *