World Tourism Day: The theme of World Tourism Day this year is "Tourism and Rural Development". It encourages the celebration of the unique role played by tourism in job creation in small towns and rural areas.
World Tourism Day 2020: Livelihood of millions of people globally are dependent on tourism. There are countries where tourism and industries dependent on it are the biggest revenue earner. Travel and tourism is one of the worst-hit sectors amid the pandemic-forced sudden lockdown earlier this year.
"On this World Tourism Day, the COVID-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to rethink the future of the tourism sector, including how it contributes to the sustainable development goals, through its social, cultural, political, and economic value. Tourism can eventually help us move beyond the pandemic, by bringing people together and promoting solidarity and trust - crucial ingredients in advancing the global cooperation so urgently needed at this time," the United Nations said.
History and significance of World Tourism Day:
Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism.
World Tourism Day 2020: Theme
World Tourism Day this year focuses on "Tourism and Rural Development". The theme encourages the celebration of the unique role played by tourism in job creation outside of the big cities. It also in a huge way helps in the conservation of cultural and natural heritage of nations.
World Tourism Day amid the pandemic this year has a crucial role to play. Amid job loses, tourism can to drive economic recovery and generate work in the rural sector.
World Tourism Day 2020: Facts
"Tourism is a lifeline, offering young people a chance to earn a living without having to migrate," according to the World Tourism Organization, A United Nations Specialized Agency. (UNWTO)
Tourism employs one in every ten people on Earth
Due to COVID-19, 100-120 million direct tourism jobs are at risk
Young people in rural areas are three times more likely to be unemployed
Latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that the near-complete lockdown led to a 98 per cent fall in international tourist numbers in May when compared to 2019
56% year-on-year drop in tourist arrivals between January and May
Fall of 300 million tourists and US$320 billion lost in international tourism receipts - more than three times the loss during the Global Economic Crisis of 2009
World Tourism Day 2020: Best wishes for safe travelling. Don't forget to wear masks and carry hand sanitizers.
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