The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourims Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary this Thursday 27 September.
International tourist arrivals grew by a remarkable 7% in 2017 to reach a total of 1,322 million, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This strong momentum is expected to continue in 2018 at a rate of 4%-5%.
This year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) (September 27) theme focuses on tourism’s significant role and contribution to worldwide water conservation efforts. The theme is in line with the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, providing the opportunity to further highlight the shared responsibility of the tourism sector to the wider sustainability objectives.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the government of Ceará, Brazil, will bring together international and national experts to debate the impact of tourism on development, social inclusion, and regional integration in the Americas.
Mercosur country members with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Tourism Organization will cooperate in the promotion of tourism focusing on improved and harmonized statistics, strengthening governance and promoting investment in the industry in the region.
Senior representatives of the private sector, governments, and United Nations organizations will meet next March in the Principality of Andorra to analyze tourism and its key role in international economic growth and development at the Global Tourism Forum Andorra 2011 (March 6-7, 2011).
The travel and tourism industry is one of the largest and most dynamic industries in today’s global economy expected to generate about 9% of total GDP and provide for more than 235 million jobs in 2010 representing 8% of global employment.
The World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) revised upwards its previous forecasts for the industry reflecting the economic recovery and the faster-than-expected rebound in international travel, particularly in Asian markets.
Air traffic disruptions caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland inflicted losses on the European tourism sector worth 2.3 billion dollars (1.7 billion Euros), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimated Friday.