Today (Sept. 27) is World Tourism Day 2023 with the global sector to coming together around the theme of Tourism and Green Investments. “Tourism has never been more important for our economies or for our societies,” says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Its potential is enormous. And so, on this World Tourism Day, we celebrate tourism’s ability to drive growth while also highlighting the vital need for investments to ensure such growth is inclusive and sustainable.”

In what is set to be the biggest celebration of the global travel and tourism industry since it was first celebrated in 1980, official proceedings will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) member states mark the occasion in every region through a range of special events and programs.

This year, the UNWTO will place the emphasis on Tourism and Green Investments. The day will focus on the importance of:

• Investment for People (by investing in education and skills),
• For Planet (by investing in sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation)
• For Prosperity (by investing in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship).

In Riyadh, UNWTO will present its Global Tourism Investment Framework and hold a series of high-level panels focusing on the challenges and opportunities surrounding investment in tourism.

The official World Tourism Day celebrations will also see the winners of the inaugural UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition for the Middle East announced.

World Tourism Day

The UNWTO will welcome representatives from more than 100 of its Member States, including more than 50 ministers of tourism in Riyadh. Joining them will be high-level representatives from tourism’s private sector, both from the Middle East region and globally.

As the global day of observance for tourism, World Tourism Day, celebrated every Sept. 27, offers a chance to spotlight the sector’s vital role in advancing peace and prosperity. The UNWTO’s global regions take turns in hosting the official celebrations around a timely and relevant theme.