Observing World Tourism Day

By Mark DaCosta- Today, September 27, is United Nations World Tourism Day (UNWTD). The observance, which has been held since 1980 is intended to highlight and raise awareness of the important role of tourism within the international community, and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values. This year’s observance is being hosted by Saudi Arabia under the theme, “Tourism and green investment.” It should be noted that since 1997, a specific country is chosen each year to host the observance; Guyana’s turn to host UNWTD has not yet come around.

The official definition of tourism has changed over the years. Leisure tourism became big business among the social elites in Europe in the early 1700s, and spread to other classes of people around the 1780s. Since then, the industry has grown exponentially – although with some notable setbacks.

Tourism is generally regarded to be travel for pleasure or business, and the commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines tourism more generally, in terms which go “beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only.” The WTO views tourism as people “travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment.”

The worldwide tourism industry is an important part of the international economic dynamic. The industry directly employes some 10 percent of working adults, and indirectly supports other industries and businesses.

World Tourism Day 2023 comes at a challenging time for the industry. The COVID-19 pandemic put a huge dent in the sector which was already reeling from the 2019 H1N1 influenza outbreak.

Additionally, this year’s observance is being held amid record-breaking global climate upheavals being caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists say that the tourism industry is directly responsible for some 8 percent of such emissions. It will be quite interesting to observe how leaders handle those issues.

Guyana’s tourism product is based mostly on ecotourism. The local product – which attracts both local and international tourists, currently contributes about 0.5 percent to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product, this is far less than the international average of some 7.9 percent.

According to reports, the following are the main international tourism products:

• Accommodation services from low-cost homestays, to five-star hotels

• Hospitality services including food and beverage serving centers

• Health care services

• All modes of transport, its booking and rental

• Travel agencies, guided tours and tourist guides

• Cultural services such as visits to religious monuments, museums, and historical places

• Shopping

In reference to this year’s observance, the United Nations (UN) states that, “The overall disruption in the tourism sector brought about by COVID-19, provides an opportunity to redefine and recalibrate the direction and narratives of tourism investments for a more sustainable future for the People, the Planet, and prosperity.  This, the UNWTO2023,  under the theme “Tourism and green investment” highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN roadmap for a better world by 2030. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.”