2020, the year for a historical and global cooperation

Today September 27th, we celebrate the World Tourism Day and in such relevant date it is more important than ever to give relevance to such an strategical sector at a global level and badly damaged by Covid-19 pandemic.

With the theme of “Tourism and Rural Development”, this edition is focused in the role of tourism to generate opportunities outside of large cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage.

This year’s international celebration takes place in a critical moment. All countries around the world look to tourism to drive recovery, including in rural communities where the sector is a leading employer and economic pillar.

2020 it is a year in which all tourism professionals, businessmen, lobbys and all the actors in the travel ecosystem are looking to governments to try to get the recognition of a sector.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is the United Nations organism who strives to  promote a responsible, sustainable and accesible tourism for everyone. It recognizes the role tourism plays as a contributor in the globa economic growth. In addition, the UNTWO highlights the fact that for rural communities, indigenous peoples and many other historically marginalized populations, tourism has been a vehicle for integration, empowerment and generating income.

In the world tourism day professionals in the tourism sector in its multiple positions we assert:

  • Measures to protect the sector. 
  • Inclusive development politics
  • Sustainability and leadership in politics.  
  • We also ask for a international historial cooperation between governments to find solutions to a strategical sector.

“All around the world, tourism empowers rural communities, providing jobs and opportunity, most notably for women and youth. Tourism also enables rural communities to hold onto their unique cultural heritage and traditions, and the sector is vital for safeguarding habitat and endangered species. This World Tourism Day is a chance to recognize the role tourism plays outside of major cities and its ability to build a better future for all.”

UNTWO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili

Because today is the day that joins cities and rural communities, joining private sector organizations and individual tourists creating ties between countries. Fighting against the effects of COVID-19 pandemic is in the hand of governments but let’s do it together.