World Tourism Day 2023: Boosting Green Investment in Tourism

In the context of the tourism industry trying to accelerate recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has chosen the theme of World Tourism Day (September 27) this year as “Tourism and Green Investment”. The theme sends a message calling for increased investment in tourism to meet the requirements of sustainable development.

The theme of this year's World Tourism Day sends a message calling for increased investment in tourism to meet the requirements of sustainable development.

Tourism is an important economic sector in the world. In 2019, the total number of international tourists reached nearly 1.5 billion; total revenue from international tourists reached about 1.9 trillion USD; tourism created 1/10 of the world's jobs. With such contributions, tourism has always been considered an important driving force for global economic growth.

Stressing that this year is the hottest on record and extreme weather events could become the new normal, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili said tourism has the potential to contribute to solving some of the world's biggest challenges today, such as climate change.

Affirming that tourism has great power, the UNWTO Secretary General also noted: “That power does not come naturally. On the contrary, tourism needs to be supported, first of all, it needs to be invested in.”

Therefore, “it is necessary to rethink the way of investing in tourism, creating more favorable conditions to attract investment in tourism projects with great potential to make a difference”, the UNWTO Secretary-General called for.

According to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, climate change is threatening many tourism destinations today, as well as the survival of communities and economies that depend on tourism. Many developing countries that are heavily affected by climate change are also facing a decline in investment and an increase in the cost of living.

Supporting the theme of World Tourism Day 2023, the United Nations recognizes the need for green investment to build a tourism industry that benefits people and the planet.

On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General called on governments and businesses to increase investment in sustainable tourism activities. The private sector needs to follow a path of net zero emissions, reduce energy consumption and take advantage of renewable energy forms. Communities need to join hands to protect biodiversity and ecological balance in all destinations.

Targeted investments can create jobs and support local businesses and industries while minimizing the environmental impact of tourism, empowering communities, promoting community culture and contributing to essential social protection systems.

Secretary-General Guterres emphasized: “Investing in sustainable tourism is investing in a better future for everyone.”

World Tourism Day is a global event held on September 27 every year with the aim of raising international awareness of the role, position and importance of tourism in cultural, economic, social and political life.

This year, World Tourism Day celebrations will be held on 27 September in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh, UNWTO will present the “Global Tourism Investment Framework” and host a series of high-level workshops focusing on the challenges and opportunities surrounding tourism investment. This year, World Tourism Day celebrations will be attended by more than 100 Member States.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, at the invitation of the Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism, a delegation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will attend the celebration in this country.

Attending the celebration of World Tourism Day 2023 with the theme "Green Tourism and Investment" is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm to the international community its goals and commitments to develop tourism in a green and sustainable direction as stated in national tourism development projects and strategies.

In the past two years, Vietnam has chosen the theme of green tourism for the National Tourism Year. In particular, the National Tourism Year 2022 has the theme "Quang Nam - Green Tourism Destination" and the National Tourism Year 2023 has the theme "Binh Thuan - Green Convergence". This is the message that affirms the consistent policy, direction of unified action, connecting all localities, destinations, businesses and stakeholders in the industry to develop tourism in a green and sustainable direction in the new period.

According to nhandan.vn

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