Brief History

Tourism has been a part of human life since ancient times, when wealthy people traveled to distant places to learn new languages, experience different cuisines and see the world. This tradition can be traced back to the Shulgi period in Ancient China, when Kings built waystations to protect travelers. In the Middle Ages, travel became more important for religious reasons, as Buddhism, Islam and Christianity had pilgrimage traditions. World Tourism Day was established by the UNWTO to promote sustainable, responsible and accessible tourism, which benefits both tourists and the locations they visit and drives economic growth. The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism aims to maximize benefits while minimizing impacts and protecting people, cultures and environments.

World Tourism Day has been celebrated annually since the third UNWTO General Assembly in 1979. The date, 27 September, was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the UNWTO Statues adoption in 1970 and to mark the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere and the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere.

Tourism Day is significant for several reasons:

• It highlights the importance of tourism in the global economy and society.
• It provides an opportunity to express gratitude to tourism professionals for their contributions.
• It promotes the recognition and appreciation of the tourism profession.

How to Celebrate

There are several ways to celebrate Tourism Day:

• Organise eco-tours or cultural events that highlight sustainable tourism practices.
• Run contests or quizzes related to tourism and travel.
• Host a community service project to support local tourism businesses.

World Tourism Day

Interesting Facts

• Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, generating billions of dollars annually.
• It supports millions of jobs worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
• Tourism promotes cultural exchange and understanding between people from different backgrounds.