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What is World Tourism Day?

World Tourism Day is celebrated globally as a key to global peace on the 27th September, 2024. This year’s theme is “Tourism and Peace,” with a focus on the pivotal role tourism plays in fostering peace, tolerance, and intercultural understanding. 

The International celebration highlights the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and sustainable tourism, fostering global understanding, and appreciating the cultural heritage and diversity that tourism brings to the world.

It’s an annual event established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) to raise awareness about the role of tourism within the international community. 

The day emphasizes how tourism contributes to social, cultural, and economic development, and it encourages responsible travel practices that benefit both the travelers and local communities. World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27th. 

The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO statutes in 1970, which paved the way for the establishment of the organization and the global recognition of tourism as a key sector.

Tourism As a Bridge Between Cultures 

UNWTO emphasized that tourism is not just an economic driver but also a powerful tool for promoting peace and global unity. Tourism, often seen as a means to economic growth, also brings people from diverse backgrounds together, encouraging dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared sense of humanity.

“Tourism brings roads together and closer. It builds trust and respect,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili in his message for the occasion. 

“It has the unique ability to bring down barriers, break stereotypes, and foster understanding between cultures. By celebrating the differences that make each destination unique, we strengthen the bonds that unite us as a global community,” he said.

Across the world, events marking the day are focusing on tourism’s role in bridging divides, promoting reconciliation, and healing post-conflict societies. In areas affected by conflict, the revival of tourism is seen as a key indicator of recovery, helping to rebuild relationships and foster sustainable peace.

image from UN

How Tourism Has Transformed Perceptions of Formerly Conflicted Countries

Tourism encourages travelers to see the world from new perspectives, broadening their understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

In regions previously torn apart by conflict, tourism is emerging as a means of reconciliation. The restoration of tourism in post-conflict areas is often seen as a sign of stability and progress. By encouraging the movement of people and ideas across borders, tourism helps to mend fractured relationships, promoting peace and cooperation among once-divided communities.

Countries like Rwanda  have leveraged tourism to not only showcase their natural beauty but also tell the stories of their troubled pasts, turning dark chapters into learning experiences that advocate for peace.

Sierra Leone has come a long way in experiencing diverse conflicts, transitioning from the 11 year bloody war to a peaceful atmosphere. It’s equally important for developing countries like Sierra Leone, who have passed through the bitter taste of war, to embrace Tourism and transform bitter stories from the past into meaningful experiences. 

“Tourism has allowed us to turn the page on the conflict, helping visitors and locals to see each other as equals, united by shared experiences,” said Idrissa Bangura the Deputy Director of Tourism from the Ministry Of Tourism and Cultural Affairs

How Tourism Day is Being Commemorated in Sierra Leoneimage from ministry of tourism and cultural affairs, SL.As part of the celebrations, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is calling for all Sierra Leoneans to be peaceful and practice responsible tourism that respect local cultures, preserve the environment, and contribute to the well-being of host communities. 

The goal is to ensure that tourism promotes peace and understanding without causing harm to vulnerable ecosystems or marginalized groups.

Moreover, the Ministry is set to embark on an awareness campaign on 28 September, 2024 in Kenema, eastern part of Sierra Leone, in a bid to educate school pupils about the importance of Tourism and its role in peace building. 

The campaign will consist of Debate competition, Symposia and engagement with stakeholders with the solid aim to bring awareness to people about tourism.

“We are embarking on the “Tourism for All campaign”, as a developing  country that’s recovering from a bloody 11 years war, it’s of importance that we understand the importance of tourism in peace building. Our mission is to bring the awareness of tourism to the doorsteps of every Sierra Leonean,” said Bangura

The celebration of World Tourism Day 2024 serves as a reminder of the potential for tourism to contribute not only to the economic development of nations but also to a more peaceful, united world.