As the tourism industry strives to accelerate recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has chosen the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day (September 27) as “Tourism and Green Investment”. The theme sends a message calling for increased investment in tourism to meet the requirements of sustainable development.
The theme of this year's World Tourism Day sends a message calling for increased investment in tourism to meet the requirements of sustainable development.
Tourism is an important economic sector in the world. In 2019, the total number of international tourists worldwide reached nearly 1.5 billion; total revenue from international tourists reached about 1.9 trillion USD; tourism creates 1/10 of the world's jobs. With such contributions, tourism has always been considered an important driving force for global economic growth.
Stressing that this year is the hottest on record and that extreme weather events could become the new normal, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said tourism has the potential to help address some of the world's biggest challenges today, such as climate change.
Affirming that tourism has great power, the UNWTO Secretary General also noted: “That power does not come naturally. On the contrary, tourism needs to be supported, first of all, it needs to be invested in.”
Therefore, “it is necessary to rethink the way of investing in tourism, creating more favorable conditions to attract investment in tourism projects with great potential to make a difference”, the UNWTO Secretary-General called for.
Today, climate change is threatening many tourism destinations and the very survival of communities and economies that depend on tourism, according to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Many developing countries that are already severely affected by climate change are also facing a decline in investment and an increase in the cost of living.
Supporting the theme of World Tourism Day 2023, the United Nations recognises the need for green investment to build a tourism sector that benefits people and the planet.
On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General called on governments and businesses to increase investment in sustainable tourism. The private sector needs to follow a path of net zero emissions, reduce energy consumption and take advantage of renewable energy forms. Communities need to join hands to protect biodiversity and ecological balance in all destinations.
Targeted investments can create jobs and support local businesses and industries while minimizing the environmental impact of tourism, empowering communities, promoting their culture and contributing to essential social protection systems.
Secretary-General Guterres emphasized: “Investing in sustainable tourism is investing in a better future for everyone.”
World Tourism Day is a global event held on September 27 every year with the aim of raising international awareness of the role, position and importance of tourism in cultural, economic, social and political life.
This year, World Tourism Day will be celebrated on 27 September in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, UNWTO will present the “Global Tourism Investment Framework” and host a series of high-level seminars focusing on the challenges and opportunities surrounding tourism investment. This year, World Tourism Day will be attended by over 100 Member States.
According to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, at the invitation of the Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism, a delegation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Vietnam National Tourism Administration will attend the celebration in this country.
Attending the celebration of World Tourism Day 2023 with the theme "Tourism and Green Investment" is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm to the international community its goals and commitments to develop tourism in a green and sustainable direction as stated in national tourism development projects and strategies.
In the past two years, Vietnam has chosen the theme of green tourism for the National Tourism Year. In particular, the National Tourism Year 2022 has the theme "Quang Nam - Green Tourism Destination" and the National Tourism Year 2023 has the theme "Binh Thuan - Green Convergence". This is the message that affirms the consistent policy, direction of unified action, connecting all localities, destinations, businesses and stakeholders in the industry to develop tourism in a green and sustainable direction in the new period.
According to nhandan.vn
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