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