Happy World Tourism Day! Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first World Tourism Day.
Illustration 181149309 © Kowit Paikhamnam | Dreamstime.com
In 1979 the United Nations World Tourism Organization established World Tourism Day to promote universally accessible tourism and boost local economies. Sept. 27 was selected to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes in 1970. It also signals the end of the high season in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Tourism and World Development” is this year’s theme. Tourism isn’t just about big cities. It is an important factor in the growth and development of rural communities while also being a celebration of their culture. World Tourism Day puts the spotlight on areas that might usually go unnoticed or under-appreciated.
One of every 18 Americans is employed in the tourism sector. Many areas rely on tourism for their major source of revenue. For tourists, travel is a chance to experience new places, create new memories and escape the normal routine.
Today is also a big sports day for me. My Chicago Bears are playing at noon, the WNBA playoffs continue, and the Athletes Unlimited Softball League is in the middle of its last round of games. Still, I have set a Zoom call with my friends to get the ball rolling on trips in 2021. We probably won’t make any decisions, but many options will be discussed and debated. World Tourism Day is the perfect time to start making 2021 travel plans.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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