News
World Tourism Day 2020 Theme — “Tourism and Rural Development”

On September 8 (Spain Time), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said in a statement that many villages around the world treat tourism as a pillar industry and are eager to revive it to boost economic recovery. The World Tourism Day 2020 will therefore be themed on "Tourism and Rural Development".

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economies around the world have been hit to varying degrees. Governments also hope to promote economic recovery through the development of tourism. Therefore, they reached a consensus on this at the UN High-Level Meeting. "For rural communities, indigenous peoples and many other historically marginalized populations, tourism has been a vehicle for integration, empowerment and generating income," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

For the first time, the celebration of World Tourism Day 2020 will be co-hosted by Mercosur countries (including full members of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay and observer Chile) and the UNWTO. An official of the UNWTO believes that this fully reflects the spirit of international solidarity of the tourism industry, which is crucial to promote the recovery of the tourism industry.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, "All around the world, tourism empowers rural communities, providing jobs and opportunity, most notably for women and youth. Tourism also enables rural communities to hold onto their unique cultural heritage and traditions, and the sector is vital for safeguarding habitat and endangered species. This World Tourism Day is a chance to recognize the role tourism plays outside of major cities and its ability to build a better future for all."

Copyright by Zhengzhou Municipal Tourism Administration