World Tourism Day celebrated with focus on 'Tourism for Inclusive Growth'

The UN-proclaimed World Tourism Day 2021, coordinated by UNWTO, was observed with the theme 'Tourism for Inclusive Growth' on September 27 to raise 'awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.'

According to the UNWTO, COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact by badly affecting the developed and developing economies have been hit. "And marginalized groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly," stated UNWTO on its website.

According to the UNWTO Chief, tourism can help us build a better future for everyone by being a source of employment, supporting many millions of jobs and driving economies forward, both at the local and the national level.

In his message, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres high lighted the power and potential of tourism to advance prosperity and drive inclusive, sustainable development. "Tourism continues to suffer enormously under the COVID-19 pandemic: in the first five months of this year, international tourist arrivals decreased by a staggering 95 per cent in parts of the world and forecasts suggest a loss of over $4 trillion to global GDP by the end of 2021. This is a major shock for developed economies, but for developing countries, it is an emergency, " he stated.