What is World Tourism Day about this year?
As Mr. Trump licks his wounds the morning following on from the largest televised (streamed) US presidential debate in history, most of us in the industry shift our focus onto what really matters, World Tourism Day. This day was invented by the UNWTO in the 70’s to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
In 2016, World Tourism Day is about promoting universal accessibility. Everyone has the right to access leisure and tourism services on an equal basis. Yet 1 billion people around the world living with disability, along with young children, seniors and persons with other access requirements, still face obstacles in accessing fundamentals of travel such as clear and reliable information, efficient transportation and public services, and a physical environment that is easy to navigate. Even with modern technologies, those with visual, hearing, mobility or cognitive impairments are being left behind in many tourism destinations.
Accessibility is both an important market opportunity and central to responsible and sustainable tourism policies and business development strategies. UNWTO’s Secretary General, Mr. Taleb Rafai, states that 15% of the world’s population is estimated to live with some form of disability. He also reminds us that with the world’s population ageing, all of us will benefit sooner or later from universal accessibility in tourism.
So how will you or your company celebrate World Tourism Day and accesiblity for all? Here is a a map of ideas that UNWTO has provided for us.
On 3BaysOver, the largest digital B2B tourism network on the planet, you can always (not just on World Tourism day) discuss and share information about the accessibility in tourism. There are professionals in over 160 countries waiting for your here.
