(No Like Yet)
Published on : Saturday, September 12, 2020
Celebrated on 27th September under the theme of ‘Tourism and Rural Development’, this year’s international day of observation comes at a critical moment, with countries around the world thinking of tourism as a tool to drive recovery, including the rural communities where tourism is the foremost employer and economic support.
In a recent Policy Brief on tourism, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “For rural communities, indigenous peoples and many other historically marginalized populations, tourism has been a vehicle for integration, empowerment and generating income.”
Globally, tourism gives more power to rural communities, providing them with jobs and opportunities, especially for women and youth.
For the first time in the 40-year history of World Tourism Day, the official celebration will not be hosted by a single Member State of the United Nations specialized agency. In its place, nations from the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with Chile joining with observer status) will serve as joint hosts.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the UNWTO said, “All around the world, tourism empowers rural communities, providing jobs and opportunity, most notably for women and youth. Tourism also enables rural communities to hold onto their unique cultural heritage and traditions, and the sector is vital for safeguarding habitat and endangered species. This World Tourism Day is a chance to recognize the role tourism plays outside of major cities and its ability to build a better future for all.”
Tourism is a leading job opportunities provider for innumerable rural communities around the world. In many places, it is one of the few workable economic sectors. Moreover, development with the help of tourism can also keep rural communities alive.