Happy World Tourism Day!
Global tourism has ensured that we get to see the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places in the world. However, the beauty of the world’s most iconic locations needs more curious pairs of eyes looking, feeling, and living the experience. Celebrating tourism hence becomes a need. As the World Tourism Day celebrations are on, let’s understand that there is much more to this day than what meets the eye. The Top 10 World Tourism Day Facts compiled by the Top 10s Only team are here to help you unravel its story. Let’s take a quick look at a few interesting facts about World Tourism Day.
World Tourism Day is Celebrated on 27th September
Why do you think World Tourism Day is celebrated on this particular day? On the same week as the Autumnal Equinox comes the World Tourism Day celebration. This date has significance – it is the same day that the UNWTO Statutes were adopted though a decade apart.
When Did World Tourism Day Begin?
Do you know World Tourism Day is celebrated from which year? World Tourism Day celebrations began first in 1980, ten years after the UNWTO Statutes were adopted. It has been part of the United Nations international observances ever since. This adoption is considered a special milestone in the history of international tourism.
Proposed by Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi – Peep into World Tourism Day History
The idea of World Tourism Day to be celebrated every year on the 27th of September was proposed by a Nigerian national, Late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi. In 1971, during the International Union of Official Travel Organization executive committee meeting in Istanbul, Atigibi proposed and moved the motion. He was the then Chairman of the African Travel Commission and Secretary-General of the Nigerian Tourist Association. His motion won unanimous votes and hence formed the basis of the announcement that came almost a decade later. However, his contribution to the cause was recognised only later in 2009. This is among the most important World Tourism Day information as it examines the origin of this special day.
World Tourism Day Significance
Here comes one of the main world tourism facts that you should be aware of. The significance of the World Tourism Day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism all across the world. Tourism impacts the global community’s economic, political, cultural, and social values, which is the significance of celebrating this day.
World Tourism Day Theme 2025
Every year a theme is allocated for observing World Tourism Day, and this revolves around different aspects of tourism and the industry as a whole. From sustainable tourism to rural development, there have been many themes each year that sync with the need of the hour in the tourism industry. For 2025, the proposed theme is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.
World Tourism Day Colour is Blue
Here is a World Tourism Day fun fact for you. Just as everything has a colour code these days, World Tourism Day too has a colour code – Blue, which symbolises a peaceful environment.
World Tourism Day Has A Host Country
Let’s take a look at another World Tourism Day fact. Every year World Tourism Day has a host country. The decision to have a host country for the celebration was taken during its 12th session in 1997 when the UNWTO General Assembly met in Istanbul.
World Tourism Day Host Country Nominations Follow A Geographical Order
In 2003, during the 15th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly, which met in Bejing, it was decided that the choice of the host country would follow a geographical order. Europe, South Asia, American Continents, Africa and the Middle East.
About Sustainable Development Goals Of World Tourism Day
Among other general knowledge about World Tourism Day, the most important is the sustainable development goals that it caters to. Though it may not cover all that the UN mentions, it covers Goals 1, 5, 8 & 10, which is No Poverty, Clean Water & Sanitisation, Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities & Communities.
World Tourism Day Message
World Tourism Day articles and posts carry many quotes, messages and wishes, which is good for the recognition it garners. But that is not enough. Raising awareness of the industry, the challenges faced, promoting better working conditions, helping those in the tourism sector sustain their livelihoods and raising voice for those in need is the ideal way to celebrate the day.
Remember The Top 10 Facts About Tourism Day
Hope these top ten facts of World Tourism Day gave you some insight into it. Let’s celebrate the day, the history, the uniqueness of each locale, etc., but in all that, do not forget the hard work of many who make this possible and those who depend on this industry for their livelihoods. Participate in World Tourism Day activities being held in your city and help commemorate this special day.
Ever wondered about visiting the top 10 hill stations in Asia? Won’t it be ideal to see any one of these for World Tourism Day? So take your time and plan a visit soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is World Tourism Day celebrated?
World Tourism Day is celebrated to promote and develop tourism. Tourism boosts the global economy as it creates numerous job opportunities and contributes to infrastructural development. The tourism sector also impacts the social, political, and cultural values of the global community. Hence, the growing impact of the tourism sector is the answer to the question that arises in our minds: “Why is World Tourism Day celebrated?”
2. What is the full form of UNWTO?
UNWTO stands for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. It is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting and spreading knowledge about tourism, as well as tourism policies worldwide. World Tourism Day celebrations are held annually to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes.
3. Who is the father of World Tourism Day?
Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi is the father of World Tourism Day. It’s thanks to him that the World Tourism Day date is September 27! It was Atigbi, the then Chairman of the African Travel Commission and Secretary-General of the Nigerian Tourist Association, who proposed to mark this day as World Tourism Day. This idea, which got unanimous approval during the 1971 International Union of Official Travel Organisation executive committee meeting, was later brought into effect to spread awareness of the tourism sector.
4. Who declared World Tourism Day?
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation declared World Tourism Day in order to promote and encourage tourism. Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, the founder of World Tourism Day, had proposed the date of September 27th to observe World Tourism Day. Every year, World Tourism Day is celebrated with a noble intention to facilitate sustainable development across the globe by focusing on themes specific to tourism, like inclusive growth, opening doors for women, as well as being a driving force for poverty alleviation, job creation and social harmony.
5. Why was September 27th chosen as World Tourism Day?
World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27th of every year, as it is the same day when the UNWTO statutes were adopted. The chosen day falls during the week of the autumnal equinox, which is considered to be the peak of nature’s richness and the right time for tourism to flourish.