Bali, 27 September 2022 (TDI): United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is going to officially commemorate World Tourism Day 2022 today in Bali.

This year’s theme is “Rethinking Tourism”. World Tourism Day is annually celebrated all over the globe on the 27th of September.

Recovering from Covid-19 amidst challenges

The tourism industry employs one in every ten people on Earth, and it was damaged the most during the COVID-19 pandemic. The economies which were mostly reliant on tourism were devastated during that period.

This sector faced a dramatic recession due to COVID-19, but it has recovered 46% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. In the first five months of 2022, authorities recorded almost 250 million international arrivals.

These statistics show betterment but the recent climatic catastrophes, along with the Ukraine crisis will have a toll on it. The impact of the war in Ukraine could cost a possible loss of $14 billion to the tourism economy.

Rethinking Tourism

This year’s theme introduces the world to innovation and advancement in the tourism sector. It is opening an avenue towards a future of tourism that is sustainable, stronger, more inclusive, and environment-friendly.

During the celebrations in Bali, Indonesia, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said, “Governments, businesses, and consumers must align their tourism practices with the Sustainable Development Goals and a 1.5°C future.”

He added, “The very survival of this industry and many tourist destinations, such as Small Island Developing States, depends on it.

There is no time to waste. Let us rethink and reinvent tourism and deliver a more sustainable, prosperous, and resilient future for all.”

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Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno shed light on the path toward sustainable tourism.

He said, “The tourism industry needs to be prepared for future challenges which require collaboration and a sense of interconnectedness between one another.”

He simplified the process into three steps, “First, stakeholders’ approach to developing the sustainable tourism sector.

Second, strong role within the community as the agent of change in tourism transformation. And third, safety assurance for visitors during travel.” The Secretary General of WTO Zurab Pololikashvili reiterated today’s theme.

He said, “UNWTO calls on both tourism leaders and everyone at the base of the broad and diverse tourism pyramid to pause, reflect and rethink what we do and how we do it. The future of tourism starts today.”

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