Today is World Tourism Day, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has revealed the theme for this year’s symbolic day dedicated to one of the world’s biggest industries: “Tourism and Peace”.
The announcement was welcomed by the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), which recently met to discuss global tourism’s role in peace-building.
“The theme is particularly timely in light of the current global climate of conflict and division,” WCTE said in a statement on World Tourism Day.
“Recognising tourism´s significant influence in fostering cross-cultural understanding as a foundation for peace and sustainable development, the committee reaffirms the vital role of tourism as a catalyst for peace, mutual understanding and friendship among people worldwide.
“Tourism should always serve as a reminder of the importance of dialogue, peace, tolerance and mutually beneficial interactions between people and countries.”
Tourism surging
Tourism also continues its strong post-COVID recovery across the globe.
This week, the UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer revealed that international tourism hit 96 per cent of pre-pandemic levels for the year through 31 July. The recovery was boosted by strong demand in Europe and the re-opening of markets in Asia and the Pacific.
According to the report, around 790 million tourists travelled internationally in the first seven months of 2024, about 11 per cent more than in 2023 and only four per cent less than in 2019.
Despite economic and geopolitical risks, UN Tourism still expects a full recovery in international arrivals in 2024.
“International tourism is on track to consolidate its full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history,” UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said.
“The ongoing rebound comes despite a range of economic and geopolitical challenges, highlighting the strong demand for international travel as well as the effectiveness of boosting air connections and easing visa restrictions.
“This recovery also highlights the growing need for tourism planning and managing to cater for its impacts on communities in a way that the immense socio-economic benefits are paired with inclusive and sustainable policies.”
Seeking balance
But while tourism is well and truly back, not everyone is happy about it.
The anti-tourist sentiment can particularly be felt in popular parts of Europe.
In July, local demonstrators in Barcelona took to the streets with water pistols, chanting, “Tourists go home” and brandishing signs declaring, “Barcelona is not for sale”.
The city also took official measures like announcing plans to close all holiday apartments in the city in the next four years and replacing its long-standing ‘Visit Barcelona’ slogan with ‘This is Barcelona’.
Also in July, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the Balearic Islands to protest against overtourism and its impact on local communities, including in Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza.
In Italy, Venice is combatting overtourism by charging a tourist tax. Officials are even considering doubling the controversial tax to €10 (AU$16) after a successful summer trial, which generated €2.4 million (AU$4 million) to help better manage the impact of mass tourism in the historic city.
Elsewhere, Amsterdam is also taking drastic measures to stop overtourism by limiting the number of river cruises entering its waterways and halting new hotel construction on top of existing efforts against unruly tourists in Amsterdam.
And that’s the tip of the iceberg.
So as we embrace the joy of discovery this World Tourism Day, remember that it’s never been more important to travel sustainably, respecting the places we visit and ensuring tourism benefits both the planet and local communities. And especially this year, that it benefits peace.
For more on World Tourism Day, click here.
