By Debbie Egwuogu
Today is World Tourism Day! Celebrated on September 27th each year to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic impact on the world, WTD highlights the positive impact of tourism on global development, promotes responsible travel, and encourages individuals to explore and appreciate the diverse cultures and destinations around the world.
WHY IS WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATED?
- TO PROMOTE GLOBAL TOURISM: World Tourism Day aims to promote tourism as a significant contributor to the global economy. It highlights the benefits of tourism in terms of job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development.
- FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Tourism brings people from different cultures and backgrounds together, promoting cultural exchange and understanding. World Tourism Day emphasizes the role of tourism in promoting peace, fostering cultural appreciation, and breaking down stereotypes.
- TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PRACTICES: The celebration emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices. It raises awareness about the need to minimize negative impacts on the environment, conserve natural resources, and support local communities and economies.
- FOR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: World Tourism Day provides an opportunity to educate the public about the tourism industry, its challenges, and its potential benefits. It encourages people to make informed decisions while traveling and supports responsible tourism practices.
- TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY: Tourism encourages travelers to explore diverse destinations, traditions, and lifestyles. World Tourism Day celebrates the diversity of countries and cultures and encourages people to appreciate and respect different ways of life.
- FOR COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION: The celebration of World Tourism Day brings together governments, organizations, and individuals involved in the tourism industry across the world. It promotes collaboration and cooperation to address common challenges, share best practices, and foster international partnerships.
WORLD TOURISM DAY 2023
UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development. For World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.
The call to action to the international community for World Tourism Day 2023 is for governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.
WHAT IS GREEN INVESTMENT?
Green investments refer to financial investments made in companies, projects, or assets that are environmentally friendly or sustainable. These investments aim to support and promote the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable economy. Green investments can include investments in renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies, sustainable agriculture, clean transportation, and eco-friendly real estate, among others. It plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and mitigating the negative impacts of human activities on the environment. They contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient global economy.
Green investments are becoming increasingly important as the world faces significant environmental challenges, such as climate change and depletion of natural resources. By directing capital towards environmentally friendly activities, green investments help reduce carbon emissions, promote biodiversity conservation, and support the development of sustainable practices.
Many governments and international organizations are recognizing the importance of green investments and implementing policies and incentives to encourage them. For example, some countries offer tax benefits or subsidies for investments in renewable energy projects. Additionally, there is a growing market demand for green investments, with investors seeking financial opportunities that align with their environmental and social values.
With the many obstacles that planet earth has to encounter every day to keep its stead, the call to keep investing in its preservation and sustainability is a call we all need to heed. It is imperative that we engage in all and every activities that will support our environment to thrive and disengage from activities that’s harming and destroying our planet.