World Tourism Day 2022: Rethinking Tourism

CAIRO – 27 September 2022: The number of international tourists at the beginning of 2022 was twice the level recorded in 2021.

In some areas, tourist arrivals have reached or exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Lifting the remaining travel restrictions—along with increasing consumer confidence—will be critical to the sector's recovery, sparking hope and opening opportunities for millions around the world.

World Tourism Day will be celebrated to recognize the shift towards tourism as a fundamental pillar of development and with progress afoot.

In May 2022 the United Nations General Assembly held for the first time a special discussion on tourism, which underscored the historical importance of this sector. Tourism is now on the agenda of governments and international organizations in all regions of the world.

Meanwhile, destinations and businesses are proactively adapting to meet challenges and responsibilities, as evidenced by the wave of signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, led by the World Tourism Organization.

This occasion puts people at the center of the main discussions on the future of tourism. The theme of 'Rethinking Tourism' will reflect all of that. It also aims to stimulate debate on rethinking tourism for development, including education, jobs, the impact of tourism on the planet, and opportunities for more sustainable growth.