World Tourism Day: Rethinking tourism in a post-pandemic world
Tourism is being recognised as a crucial pillar of development.
AS Covid-19 restrictions have lifted across the globe, international tourist arrivals in 2022 are double the level recorded in 2021. This is according to the United Nations, which celebrates World Tourism Day (WTD) this year under the theme, Rethinking Tourism.
WTD, commemorated annually on September 27, was declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in the 1980s. In a post-pandemic world, the importance of tourism is being seen through a new lens.
“World Tourism Day will be celebrated as the shift towards tourism is being recognised as a crucial pillar of development,” reads the UN website.
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In May, the United Nations General Assembly held a debate on tourism, illustrating the historic relevance of the sector.
WTD coincides with Tourism Month in South Africa, which is celebrated annually across the month of September.
According to the South African government website, Tourism Month provides a heightened month-long focus on the economic importance of the tourism sector.
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“It features themed activities that are aligned to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) World Tourism Day celebrations. This global observance day by The United Nations World Tourism Organisation aims to foster awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals,” reads the site.
KwaZulu Natal offers a range of Tourism activities – find out more on the KZN tourism website.
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