World Tourism Day 2023 to focus on green investments for a sustainable future.
The stage is set for World Tourism Day 2023, with the sector coming together around the theme of ‘Tourism and Green Investments’ on 27 September. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, UNWTO member states will mark the occasion through events and programmes emphasising tourism’s potential to drive inclusive, sustainable growth.
This World Tourism Day will highlight the critical importance of investments to ensure tourism’s future is green and responsible. The official celebrations in Riyadh will showcase UNWTO’s new Global Tourism Investment Framework, aimed at mobilizing funding to accelerate the sector’s sustainable transformation.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated: “Tourism has never been more vital for economies and communities. Its potential is enormous, but realizing a sustainable future requires key investments in skills, infrastructure and innovation.”
The Framework spotlights investing in people, planet and prosperity:
– People: Funding education and skills development.
– Planet: Financing sustainable infrastructure and green transition.
– Prosperity: Supporting innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.
In Riyadh, high-level UNWTO panels will address investment challenges and opportunities. The inaugural UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition winners for the Middle East region will also be announced.
The 2023 celebrations are on track to be the largest yet, with over 100 UNWTO member states participating. More than 50 tourism ministers and high-level private sector representatives from the Middle East and worldwide will join programmes demonstrating tourism’s immense value.
Yet realizing tourism’s potential requires securing its environmental and social sustainability. World Tourism Day 2023 will showcase policies and initiatives to align tourism’s restart with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
By spotlighting tourism’s reliance on green investments, World Tourism Day renews commitment to safeguarding our shared natural and cultural heritage for future generations. The investments made today will determine whether tourism can fulfil its immense promise as a force for people, planet and prosperity.
Emmanuel Omogunwa
Author
