September 27
“AROUND the world, in countries at all development levels, many millions of jobs and businesses are dependent on a strong and thriving tourism sector. Tourism has also been a driving force in protecting natural and cultural heritage, preserving them for future generations to enjoy,” Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UN World Tourism Organization was quoted as saying.
Tourism touches almost every part of the societies. Most global peoples prefer to travel elsewhere for taking relaxation as well as for accumulating knowledge based on exploration. It is a great market for the tourism industry to earn income not only for relevant agencies but for the State.
The world tourism sector took a break in 2020 due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in global countries. Most of the tourism agencies and companies totally halted operations. Some merged tourism companies partially run their business as part of sustaining the jobs of staff livelihoods. But, a larger number of inbound and outbound tour companies waited for their hopes to resume their businesses at an opportune time.
The time machine does not stop forever. Although the globe faced severe plights and sufferings of the pandemic, it would encounter the luck of fortune based on opportunities for the resumption of tourism services throughout the world. It is a date for them to wait for recovery. As such, international tourist arrivals at the start of 2022 in the global countries were double the level recorded in 2021.
In some regions, arrivals are already at, or even above, pre-pandemic levels. The lifting of the remaining travel restrictions, alongside rising consumer confidence, will be important drivers for the sector’s recovery, bringing hope and opportunity to many millions of people around the world.
World Tourism Day which falls on 27 September 2022 will be celebrated as the shift towards tourism is being recognized as a crucial pillar for development and as progress is well underway. Tourism is now on the agenda of governments and of international organizations in every global region in order to earn incomes not only for businesspersons but for governments.
At the same time, destinations and businesses are proactively adapting to meet challenges and responsibilities, as illustrated by the wave of signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, spearheaded by UNWTO. The theme “Rethinking Tourism” will reflect the recovery of the tourism sector in all global countries. Let’s start trips but take care of Covid-19. GNLM
