World Tourism Day 2024: Celebrating Sustainable Journeys

"Tourism is a passport to peace, understanding, and mutual respect." - Zurab Pololikashvili.

 World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September, highlighting tourism's prominence in fostering cultural exchange, economic growth and sustainable development. The day encourages people worldwide to explore the beauty and diversity of our planet while recognizing the responsibilities that come with it. Tourism not only allows us to discover us for discovering new places but also bridges cultural gaps, promotes peace, and contributes significantly to local economies.

Moreover, BookMyBooking.com offers its customers tour and travel packages and activities, promoting tourism on every end.

In September 1979, at its third session in Torremolinos, Spain, the UN Tourism General Assembly decided to institute World Tourism Day in 1980. This date was selected to coincide with an essential milestone in world tourism: the anniversary of adopting the UN Tourism Statues on 27 September 1970. The timing of World Tourism Day is appropriate as it comes at the end of the primary season in the northern hemisphere and starts the season in the southern hemisphere.

 History

United Nations World Tourism Organization established World Tourism Day in 1980. Since then, this worldwide celebration has grown in significance, with every year focusing on a specific theme related to tourism. These themes have ranged from "Tourism for Sustainable Energy" to "Tourism and the Digital Transformation." World Tourism Day continues to be a platform for governments, businesses, and individuals to unite to promote responsible and sustainable tourism practices worldwide. 

World Tourism Day 2024 Theme

The World Tourism Day 2024 Theme is "Tourism and Peace". This theme highlights the vital role that tourism can play in fostering peace, cultural understanding, and reconciliation between nations and communities. It emphasizes how tourism, by bringing people from different backgrounds together, can contribute to global peace efforts and enhance mutual respect and understanding. The World Tourism Day celebrations are hosted in Tbilisi, Georgia, underscoring the theme's worldwide prominence and the country's commitment to promoting peace through tourism. The focus will be on how the tourism industry can act as a bridge for peace, particularly in regions affected by conflict, by supporting local economies, fostering cultural exchange and promoting global solidarity.

Significance of World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day is highly significant as it underscores the role of tourism in various aspects of human life and thus promotes international tourism:

• It promotes cultural exchange, encouraging people from different backgrounds to come together and learn from one another.
• It increases economic growth by creating job opportunities and stimulating local businesses.
• It creates environmental awareness and highlights the importance of sustainable tourism practices in protecting our planet for future generations.
• World Tourism Day promotes the idea that travel can be a powerful instrument for peace and understanding.

Tourism is an essential backbone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and our commitment to our Sustainable Development Goals, especially goals 8, 12, and 14. Tourism is a primary entry point to the world of work, mainly for women, youth, migrant workers, and rural communities in developing and least-developed countries. Moreover, in many regions of the world, the protection of biodiversity and conservation relies heavily on the tourism sector and the revenue it generates.

Tourism as an Integral Instrument for Peace

Tourism often highlights its role in economic development and also plays a prominent role in fostering peace on a global level where nations are interconnected and independent. Tourism, an industry made by people and for people, emerges as a compelling and dynamic force to defy stereotypes and challenge prejudices. This sector can be perceived as the epitome of intercultural dialogue; it allows the other to learn about various cultures, hear foreign languages, taste exotic flavours, bond with other human beings, and build tolerance. In essence, it is a mind-broadening educational and spiritual experience. Tourism is one of the world's most important economic sectors, as it employs one in every ten people on the Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more. International Tourism allows people to go through some of the world's cultural and natural destinations and brings people closer to each other, thereby highlighting our shared humanity.

Growth in the Tourism Sector

The consistent growth of the tourism sector in the last six decades reflects more progressive access to tourism due to the decline in the cost of transport and the worldwide development of the middle classes. The recognition of the right to holiday in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the enhanced adoption of labour rights in many countries have also supported its development.

These factors also serve as a backdrop for its resilience, as shown by international tourism in recent years. This sector has grown almost uninterrupted despite global economic crises and natural disasters. Tourism's necessary contributions encouraged the UN World Tourism Organization to institute World Tourism Day in a meeting in Spain, commencing the first celebration of the observance in the year 1980. This date was chosen to coincide with an important milestone in world tourism: the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on 27 September 1970.

Future Trends

The Future Trends of World Tourism Day 2024, themed "Tourism and Peace," will likely revolve around several critical developments in the tourism industry.

• Enhanced Focus on Peace and Cultural Understanding—The theme emphasises tourism as a tool for fostering global peace and understanding. Expect to witness more initiatives promoting cultural exchange, conflict resolution, and preserving peace through tourism.

• Sustainable and Responsive Tourism—As the world continues to address climate change and environmental degradation, sustainable tourism practices will be at the forefront. This includes eco-friendly travel options, conservation efforts, and a focus on minimizing tourism's ecological influence—book activities online for BMB to travel peacefully around the globe.
• Community-Centric Tourism—Future trends would likely emphasize community-based tourism, where local communities are more actively involved in tourism planning and benefit directly from tourism revenue. This aligns with the peace theme by improving equitable growth and reducing socio-economic disparities.
• Health and Safety Protocols—Post-pandemic health and safety would remain a priority. Travellers would seek destinations that promote these aspects, and World Tourism Day 2024 might highlight how safe travel can contribute to global well-being.
• Integrated Efforts for Global Tourism—Expect to witness more collaborations between governments, NGOs, and private companies to promote tourism that supports peace and sustainable development. This could include joint marketing campaigns, cross-border initiatives, and shared tourism infrastructure.

Sustainable Tourism for Long-Term Peace

Today's primary concern is the sustainable use of natural resources to ensure long-term peace for tomorrow's generations. By reducing environmental impact, sustainable tourism helps maintain the ecological balance many communities depend on. That, in turn, fosters economic stability and reduces poverty, which are critical factors in preventing conflict. That is the main objective of World Tourism Day; sustainable practices also promote respect for local cultures and traditions, creating a harmonious relationship between tourists and host communities, which is essential for peaceful coexistence.

Major Events Around the World on World Tourism Day 2024

World Tourism Day is celebrated worldwide. Many countries and organizations will host numerous events highlighting tourism's role in fostering cultural understanding, peace, and sustainability. 

• Global Conferences and Seminars—Georgia is the hosting country for World Tourism Day, during which conferences and seminars will occur. These events will bring together tourism professionals, policymakers, and cultural leaders to discuss how tourism can be a force for peace.
• Eco-Tourism Events- In certain regions known for their natural beauty, such as Costa Rica and New Zealand, eco-tourism events will showcase how sustainable tourism can contribute to environmental preservation and peace.
• Educational Tours and Workshops—To commemorate World Tourism Day, educational tours and workshops will be organized in numerous locations to promote understanding of local cultures and histories. These will include visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, guided tours of historic towns, and workshops on traditional crafts.

Tips for Travelers while participating in World Tourism Day 

• Choose Peace- Opt for destinations known for their commitment to peace and cultural preservation.
• Support Sustainable Tourism- Select eco-friendly accommodations and tour operators prioritizing environmental conservation.
• Engage in Cultural Exchange-Take part in cultural activities that allow you to learn about and appreciate different cultures. Attend local festivals and visit museums.
• Educate Yourself and others about your travel experiences on this World Tourism Day to educate yourself and others about the importance of peace and cultural understanding.

 How is BMB positioned on World Tourism Day 2024?

founded by a team of ardent global travel enthusiasts, is backed by decades of high-end technology expertise. BookMyBooking.Com is registered with the Dubai Economic and Tourism Department, holding a licence for the following activities- Travel Agency and Inbound and Outbound Tour Operator.

BMB is a vigorous platform that has changed how people book and plan their travels. It is a holistic one-stop platform for all your travel and entertainment needs. We are committed to delivering a seamless booking experience with our services, from visa assistance and holiday packages to MICE packages and sightseeing, hotel bookings, travel insurance, airline ticketing and tours. Moreover, our core values and mission perfectly align with the objectives of World Tourism Day 2024, which is to create a transformative impact of technological advancements in tourism. We are dedicated to simplifying travel booking process by providing a seamless, accessible, and personalized experience to every traveller.

Every service at BookMyBooking.Com is curated to provide comprehensive global travel solutions, whether you are planning a getaway, a family tour, or a corporate event. Discover unparalleled travel experiences like private sunset cruises on scheduled beaches or exclusive torus of hidden cultural gems designed to make sure you enjoy adventures that are as unique as they are unforgettable. Book Activity Online and go on an expedition with BMB today!

By leveraging cutting-edge technology and expert knowledge, at BMB, we aim to offer highly secure and safe booking options, ensuring our customers always trust online travel bookings, while fostering sustainable tourism practices for personalized itineraries. We offer accurate time updates, ensuring secure and transparent transactions and enhancing travellers' confidence. BMB's mission is fostering simplified travel booking procedures, online hotel bookings and online activity bookings.

Everything Considered

Tourism is a significant tool in encouraging global peace by promoting cultural understanding, bridging divides, and supporting economic stability in conflict-prone areas. To commemorate World Tourism Day celebrations, travellers explore diverse cultures and histories and develop empathy and respect for differences, which can reduce tensions and build peaceful relationships. Support initiatives that promote understanding and respect between different communities, helping create a more peaceful world through tourism. Travel mindfully by choosing destinations and tour operators prioritising peace, sustainability and cultural preservation.