World Tourism Day
By Sharon Schweitzer
Tourism has been a part of the human experience as long as there have been distant places to go and experience. It was originally the province of the wealthy, with travel being difficult and expensive, but it afforded opportunities to learn new languages, experience different cuisines, and generally see what there was to see.
Tourism can be argued to be traced back to the Shulgi period in Ancient China, when Kings took great pains to protect the roads and build waystations for travelers. In the Middle Ages travel became even more important for religious reasons, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity all had pilgrimage traditions that required traveling great distances in the interest of health and spiritual improvement.
Additionally, it is often highlighted for its role in economic development, and also plays a significant role in fostering peace. On a global level, where nations are interconnected and interdependent, Tourism, an industry made by people and for people, emerges as a compelling and dynamic force to defy stereotypes and challenge prejudices.
World Tourism Day is the result of the work done by the UN’s specialized agency — the World Tourism Organization (WTO). If you’ve ever strolled through a charming, perfectly-preserved European village or town, you’ve probably seen the WTO at work. Boosting local economies and ensuring sustainable tourism are but a few of the benefits of the WTO.
Under the 2024 theme “Tourism and Peace“, WTO wants to highlight the vital role of this sector in fostering peace and understanding between nations and cultures and in supporting reconciliation processes.
In February of this year, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.
It encouraged all states, the United Nations system and all other actors to take advantage of the International Year to promote actions at all levels, including through international cooperation, and to support sustainable and resilient tourism as a means of promoting and accelerating sustainable development.
If you live in a tourist destination, you can get yourself involved in how tourism works in your area and see what you can do to help protect your local heritage, cultural sites, and help share the wonders and history of your area with those who come to see it.
You can also use World Tourism Day in order to raise awareness about the industry and the different challenges that are faced. Speak up and use your voice to promote better working conditions for those in the tourism sector. You can also use the date to promote hidden gems around the world, which could do with an influx in tourists in order to boost their economy and get their communities on the map.
Photo by https://www.pamojatoursandtravel.com/world-tourism-day/
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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