The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, with travel companies and tourism boards taking steps forward in a more sustainable and inclusive direction.
World Tourism Day, celebrated each year on 27 September, is the global observance day fostering awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
Let’s take a look at what some of our friends in the industry are doing to celebrate and share this message.
Tourism Fiji
Each year Fiji celebrates World Tourism Day as a recognition of the importance and impact that tourism has on societies globally.
This year, Fiji will celebrate the day with a little more gusto than previously, recognising Inclusive Growth within the industry.
Now more than ever, the appreciation for travel and tourism is at an all-time high and the Fijian tourism industry (which accounts for almost 40% of Fiji’s national GDP) has several reasons to get travellers excited, to not only get back to its shores, but to get travellers back knowing they will be supporting a wave of inclusive growth tourism.
From farm-to-table initiatives, solar-powered tourist attractions to supporting local businesses, Fiji is blessed with an abundance of lush landscape and produce for the industry to capitalise on naturally and sustainably.
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The Travel Corporation (TTC)
In recognition of World Tourism Day on Monday, 27 September, TTC says it is reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and meaningful travel.
“This year’s World Tourism Day theme is ‘Tourism For Inclusive Growth’ – an ethos that’s long been at the heart of TTC, as well as our not-for-profit organisation, the TreadRight Foundation,” says CEO Dave Hosking.
“As we look into the near future of resuming global travel, we’re committed to keep helping local communities benefit from our visits, via our bespoke excursions and sustainability initiatives.”
TTC’s How We Tread Right strategy is a five-year sustainability plan focussing on 11 of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Pleasingly, each TTC brand is now on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, although Contiki will reach that milestone in 2022.
Along with supporting 55 sustainability projects across 26 countries, the plan also features MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences on every trip, inviting guests to get hands-on with projects at a grassroots level and to leave a lasting, positive impact on communities, wildlife and the environment.
“TTC’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences all advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as they each support human rights, the environment and/or wildlife conservation,” Hosking adds.
“For our guests, these excursions are often an unexpected highlight – they reveal a whole new perspective of the places we visit – and it always feels good to give back.”
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Sydney Visitor Collective
To celebrate World Tourism Day, Sydney’s leading leisure and tourism operators have united in a show of solidarity to invite us all to revel in #jola, aka the joy of looking ahead, as so many of the businesses that give us happiness prepare to reopen their doors.
The Sydney Visitor Collective, made up of industry leaders such as Sydney Opera House, BridgeClimb Sydney, Taronga Zoo Sydney and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium hope to use #jola to inspire those of us in NSW and beyond to get excited about what’s ahead, in order to revitalise both our souls and Sydney’s economy.
The #jola phenomenon, originally born out of the UK’s COVID-19 crisis and subsequent lockdowns, allows us to remain optimistic and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.
And it seems those of us in lockdown across Australia, particularly NSW, have the #jola feeling in droves – research from Tourism Australia has indicated that more than half (56 per cent) of those surveyed in NSW are starting to dream or actively research their next trip, whereby the Sydney Visitor Collective is encouraging that trip to be into our Harbour city for a staycation or day out.
“To get your hit of #jola is quite simple,” says Ian Wood, Regional GM, Merlin Entertainments: “Our message from the Sydney Visitor Collective is to book ahead.”
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Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten says it’s looking forward to a brighter future for travel, with booking numbers increasing, the release of exciting new destinations, community focused itineraries and the launch of new, sustainable ships.
“We’re excited to see booking numbers increase over the past few weeks across a broad range of product. We are now seeing positive signs with strong bookings to Norway and our Follow the Lights touring programs,” says Damian Perry, Managing Director, VP Sales & Marketing, Asia-Pacific.
“We believe the future of travel is an exciting one and despite the pandemic, we’re continuing to develop and deliver equally exciting travel experiences. We know that travellers are seeking new destinations, more sustainable ways to travel and unique itineraries that deliver authentic community experiences.”
These include working with local communities, new destinations, the third hybrid-powered ship and the company’s book with confidence offer.
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