World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on September 27th, aims to promote the significance of tourism worldwide. Established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, it recognizes tourism’s role in cultural exchange, economic growth, and sustainable development. The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes in 1970. Each year, a specific theme is selected to address current tourism-related challenges and opportunities. World Tourism Day serves as a platform for governments, organizations, and individuals to foster global awareness of tourism’s impact and its potential to create a better, more inclusive future for all.

This year, UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development. For World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for the planet, and for prosperity. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.

World Tourism Day 2023 will be a call to action for the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners, and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.