View source for World Tourism Day

{{Short description|International observance, 27 September}}

[[File:UNWTO.svg|thumb|330px|6 UNWTO regions]]

Since 1980, the [[United Nations World Tourism Organization]] has celebrated '''World Tourism Day''' as [[list of minor secular observances#September|international observances]] on [[September 27]]. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. This day is also the day when the peak tourism season in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] meets the peak tourism season in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Tourism Day Celebrations {{!}} UN Tourism |url=https://www.untourism.int/world-tourism-day |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=UN Tourism}}</ref> The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day | title=World Tourism Day Celebrations &#124; UNWTO }}</ref> The purpose of this day is to [[raising awareness|raise awareness]] on the role of [[tourism]] within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide. 

At its Twelfth Session in [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]], in October 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its Fifteenth Session in [[Beijing]], [[China]], in October 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East.

The late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian national, was the one who proposed the idea of marking September 27 of every year as World Tourism Day. He was finally recognized for his contribution in 2009. The colour of World Tourism Day is Blue.

World Tourism Day's primary objective is to highlight the significance of tourism on a global scale. Apart from the economic impact that tourism brings to a country, it also plays a role in influencing the [[social environment|social]], political and cultural environment of the countries.<ref name="UNWTO RS">{{cite news |title=World Tourism Day: Explore the history, significance and 2023 theme |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/travel/world-tourism-day-explore-the-history-significance-and-2023-theme-17883771.htm |access-date=6 December 2023 |work=CNBCTV18 |agency=CNBC |date=27 September 2023 |language=en |quote=World Tourism Day traces its origins to a special assembly held in Mexico City on the same date in 1970. During this gathering, the International Union of Official Travel Organizations (IUOTO) adopted the Statutes of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Following this milestone, the UNWTO officially established World Tourism Day on September 27, 1980.}}</ref>

The primary objective of World Tourism Day is to underscore the importance of tourism on a global scale. Beyond its economic impact, tourism significantly influences the social, political, and cultural fabric of countries and regions. By celebrating this day, nations seek to emphasise that tourism is not just about revenue; it is also about fostering connections, understanding [[cultural diversity|diverse cultures]] and promoting [[sustainability|sustainable practices]].

'''Host countries and themes of the World Tourism Day'''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ 
|-
! Year !! Host country !! Theme
|-
|2025
|Melaka, {{Country|Malaysia}}
| Tourism and Sustainable Transformation<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Tourism Day 2025 |url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2025 |website=World Tourism Organisation}}</ref>
|-
|2024
|{{Country|Georgia}}
|Tourism and Peace<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Tourism Day 2024 |url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2024 |website=World Tourism Organisation}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|{{Country|Saudi Arabia}}
|Tourism and Green Investments<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Tourism Day 2023 |url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2023 |website=World Tourism Organisation}}</ref>
|-
| 2022 || {{Country|Indonesia}} || «Rethinking Tourism» 
|-
| 2021 || {{CIV}} || «Tourism for inclusive growth»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/wtd2021 | title=World Tourism Day 2021: Tourism for Inclusive Growth |website = UNWTO}}</ref>
|-
| 2020 || {{center|[[Mercosur]]}}{{ARG}}<br>{{BRA}}<br>{{PAR}}<br>{{URU}}<br>{{CHI}} (Member associate) || «Tourism and rural development»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2020 | title=World Tourism Day 2020: Tourism & Rural Development |website = UNWTO}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || {{IND}} || «Tourism and jobs : a better future for all»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2019 | title=World Tourism Day 2019 &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2018 || {{HUN}} || «Tourism and the digital transformation»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2018 | title=World Tourism Day 2018: Sustainability & digital transformation in tourism &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2017 || {{QAT}} || «Sustainable tourism - a tool for development»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2017 | title=World Tourism Day 2017 &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || {{THA}} || «Tourism for all – promoting universal accessibility»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2016 | title=World Tourism Day 2016: Promoting Universal Accessibility &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2015 || {{BFA}} || «1 billion tourists, 1 billion opportunities»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2015 | title=World Tourism Day 2015 &#124; Unwto }}</ref>
|-
| 2014 || {{MEX}} || «Tourism and community development»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2014 | title=World Tourism Day 2014: Tourism and Community Development &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2013 || {{MDV}} || «Tourism and water: protecting our common future»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2013 | title=World Tourism Day 2013: Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2012 || {{ESP}} || «Tourism & sustainable energy : powering sustainable development»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2012 | title=World Tourism Day 2012: Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2011 || {{EGY}} || «Tourism - linking cultures»
|-
| 2010 || {{CHN}} || «Tourism and Biodiversity»
|-
| 2009 || {{GHA}} || «Tourism - celebrating diversity»
|-
| 2008 || {{PER}} || «Tourism: responding to the challenge of climate change»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2008 | title=World Tourism Day 2008: Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2007 || {{LKA}} || «Tourism opens doors for women»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2007 | title=World Tourism Day 2007: Tourism Opens Doors for Women &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2006 || {{PRT}} || «Tourism Enriches»<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.unwto.org/world-tourism-day-2006 | title=World Tourism Day 2006 &#124; UNWTO }}</ref>
|-
| 2005 || {{QAT}} || «Travel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st century»
|-
| 2004 || {{MYS}} || «Sport and tourism: two living forces for mutual understanding, culture and the development of societies»
|-
| 2003 || {{DZA}} || «Tourism: a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony»
|-
| 2002 || {{CRI}} || «Ecotourism, the key to sustainable development»
|-
| 2001 || {{IRN}}  || «Tourism: a tool for peace and dialogue among civilizations»
|-
| 2000 || {{DEU}} || «Technology and nature: two challenges for tourism at the dawn of the twenty-first century»
|-
| 1999 || {{CHL}} || «Tourism: preserving world heritage for the new millennium»
|-
| 1998 || {{MEX}} || «Public-private sector partnership: the key to tourism development and promotion»  
|-
| 1997 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism: a leading activity of the twenty-first century for job creation and environmental protection»
|-
| 1996 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism: a factor of tolerance and peace»
|-
| 1995 || {{center|-}} || «WTO: serving world tourism for twenty years»
|-
| 1994 || {{center|-}} || «Quality staff, quality tourism»
|-
| 1993 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism development and environmental protection: towards a lasting harmony»
|-
| 1992 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism: a factor of growing social and economic solidarity and of encounter between people»
|-
| 1991 || {{center|-}} || «Communication, information and education: powerlines of tourism development»
|-
| 1990 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism: an unrecognized industry, a service to be released»
|-
| 1989 || {{center|-}} || «The free movement of tourists creates one world»
|-
| 1988 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism: education for all»
|-
| 1987 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism for development»
|-
| 1986 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism: a vital force for world peace»
|-
| 1985 || {{center|-}} || «Youth Tourism: cultural and historical heritage for peace and friendship»
|-
| 1984 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism for international understanding, peace and cooperation»
|-
| 1983 || {{center|-}} || «Travel and holidays are a right but also a responsibility for all»
|-
| 1982 || {{center|-}} || «Pride in travel: good guests and good hosts»
|-
| 1981 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism and the quality of life»
|-
| 1980 || {{center|-}} || «Tourism's contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding»
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://wtd.unwto.org/ World Tourism Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318202754/http://wtd.unwto.org/ |date=2017-03-18 }}
*[http://www.prlog.org/11985603-sangam-university-bhilwara-rajasthan-world-tourism-day-2012.html Sangam University Bhilwara Rajasthan - World Tourism Day 2012]

{{Tourism}}

[[Category:September observances]]
[[Category:World Tourism Organization]]
[[Category:United Nations days]]