UN Tourism News - Special Edition
World Tourism Day 2020 - Tourism and Rural Development

“Tourism and Rural Development” is the theme of World Tourism Day 2020.

Celebrated every 27 September since 1980, the 40th anniversary comes as tourism confronts the biggest challenge in its history.

The importance of tourism as an economic sector - with an unmatched value chain and deep social footprint - has become even more evident over recent months.

UNWTO has led the global response to this challenge and united its Member States, the tourism sector, and the UN system to face up to the pandemic.

As part of the United Nations family, UNWTO is happy to see how World Tourism Day also contributes to this year’s 75th anniversary of the UN. WTD and UN75 meet, so that tourism comes back stronger and leaves no one behind, by growing back better, becoming more sustainable and offering more innovative solutions to the biggest challenges of our time.

Message by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili

Tourism has proven to be a lifeline for many rural communities. However, its true force still needs to be fully deployed. The sector is not just a leading source of employment, particularly for women and youth. It also provides opportunities for territorial cohesion and socio-economic inclusion for the most vulnerable regions.

Special Message by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres

In the 40 years since the very first World Tourism Day, much has changed. Demand for travel has soared. The world has opened up, allowing more people than ever to explore the globe and its different cultures.

All about World Tourism Day: host countries, background, resources, and more!

NEW! UNWTO Recommendations on Tourism And Rural Development

Supporting governments, the private sector and the international community in developing tourism in rural territories, to contributing to sustainable development.

Digital Travel - Google Partners with UNWTO on World Tourism Day

September 27 is World Tourism Day - a time to celebrate tourism's ability to promote meaningful exchanges between people around the world, have fun, recall how travel helps us all recharge – and make a real difference by supporting livelihoods and protecting our heritage.

Join the official WTD 2020 Celebration