World Tourism Day 2019

World Tourism Day takes place on Friday 27th September 2019. This special day has been part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s calendar since 1980, and is also the anniversary of the day that the UNWTO’s statutes were created. Since then, these statutes have become known as absolute milestones in the tourism business, which is why this particular day and all that it entails is so special for tourism around the world.

 

 

 

You may be wondering why there needs to be such a thing as World Tourism Day. After all, aren’t tourists always travelling? Isn’t this one of the industries that is always growing? While that might be the view from the outside, those working in tourism will be able to tell you that this is not the case, and that anything that can be done to promote tourism on a global scale is going to be well received. Hence, World Tourism Day.

 

 

 

The entire purpose of World Tourism Day is to raise awareness of how much good tourism does to the economy of different countries. But it’s not just that. It also aims to show that a healthy tourism industry is crucial in obtaining positive social, political, and cultural change across the world.

 

In other words, where there is tourism, there tends to be plenty of other positives too – that’s why the tourists keep coming back. And these positives will filter down to the people living in those countries, ensuring that everyone benefits. 

 

 

Every year a host country is selected to be the UNWTO’s partner in the World Tourism Day celebrations. The first country chosen when the practice started in October 2003, was China, and since then the decision as to which country will host has worked in a geographic direction, ensuring that every country has its turn. In the past this has meant that countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas have all been hosts. This year the host is India.

 

 

 

The theme for the 2019 World Tourism Day event is ‘tourism and the digital transformation’. The digital world is growing quickly, and if we don’t keep up with it we will be left behind. This relates easily to tourism from the ease that visitors are able to book tickets to important attractions to how ‘instagrammable’ the cities are that they are visiting which not only enhances their own visit but helps to persuade other people to visit too.

 

The day will be about exploring all the opportunities that digital advancements can give to the tourism sector, and how to go about utilising as many of them as possible to give visitors the best trip possible. Artificial intelligence, big data, and digital platforms will all be high on the agenda.

 

 

 

Almost all sectors of business will find tourism is useful to them. It increases profits because there are more sales, and it can even boost the profile of a business overseas if someone visits while on holiday and then tells others about the great place they bought from when they get home. It has been said that a strong tourism industry means a strong economy, and for the most part this is borne out. 

 

It is, of course, wise not to focus solely on the tourism industry. After all, this is usually seasonal (although a little less so in the UK compared to countries such as Spain or Greece, for example), and by ignoring your homegrown customers, you could find that you lose everyone when the tourists go back home. 

 

 

 

We seem to fall into two camps when it comes to tourism. There are those of us who love to see the tried and tested, popular, most well-known attractions, and then there are those of us who prefer to see things that are unusual, strange, and perhaps little visited. To honour both types of tourist, here are some of the most popular and some of the most unusual tourist hotspots. 

 

 

 

Island of the Dolls, Xochimilco, Mexico: Some people are afraid of dolls, so this wouldn’t be a great spot to visit, but if you’re intrigued by the weird and the wonderful and you’re not freaked out by soulless staring eyes, the Island of the Dolls could be what you are looking for. The legend is that a girl drowned in a canal and a man who lived nearby was so afraid of her ghost that he collected dolls to give to her and keep her happy. 

 

Karni Mata Temple, Deshnok, India: Are rats vermin or are they cute little creatures? If you think the former, then stay away from the Karni Mata Temple in India. If, however, you are fond of rats, make yourself at home. There is a legend in Deshnok that the rats within the temple are the family of Karni, a goddess. Rats are therefore considered sacred and cannot be removed, hurt, or killed. That’s why there is a rat population of over 20,000 (and growing) in the temple, and they are cared for with the highest protection. 

 

Yunessun Spa Resort, Kowakudani, Japan: This one is weird, and it’s expensive, but if bathing in your favourite drink is on your bucket list, then you’ll have to make the trip. You can choose from wine, beer, tea (and green tea), coffee, or even sake. And yes, you really do get to bathe in the liquid! 

 

 

 

The Colosseum, Rome: The Colosseum in Rome is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, and why not? It is spectacular, and one of the places that just has to be seen to be believed. It does get busy though, so be aware that there will be crowds. 

 

The Statue of Liberty, New York: Whether you choose to climb to the top of her crown or you prefer to stay closer to her feet, Lady Liberty is an impressive sight and one that ranks her as one of the top tourist attractions in the world. 

 

The Eiffel Tower, Paris: Paris is the city of love and culture, and it is also where the Eiffel Tower rises majestically above everything. It’s not a surprise to find that the majority of visitors to Paris want to have their photo taken in front of it, on top of it, and all around it.