This year World Tourism Day is being celebrated under the theme of ‘Tourism & Green Investments’. The day is celebrated to create worldwide awareness about the importance of the world’s fastest growing sustainable and eco-friendly tourism industry.
The world travel and tourism sector is forecast to reach $9.5 trillion in 2023, according to new research so very rightly we on World Tourism Day, recognize the power and potential of tourism to advance prosperity and drive inclusive, sustainable development. The tourism sector touches almost every part of our economies and societies, enabling historically marginalized people and those at risk of being left behind to benefit from development that is local and direct.
This year the theme for World Tourism Day, September 27, Tourism and Green Investments,” seeks to underscore the need to invest in people, planet and prosperity. The theme is right on point as it recognizes the urgent need for responsible tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. Of course, it is our moral responsibility to safeguard its natural, economic and social resources for future generations. Investment is no longer resigned to the blocks, cement and steel of infrastructure. Investing in human capital, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship as well as the environment are equally important for the sustainable growth of travel and tourism.
Progressively over the years, UNWTO has taken interest in spotlighting the economic prospects of tourism in different fields of human endeavours and this year is not an exception, given that the environment and climate change are big factors in tourism. Therefore, the focus on green investment this year is understand.
As an ardent and devoted Pakistanis and being a Chief Editor of Pakistan’s oldest weekly newspaper of travel and tourism industry, I had always imagined a time when Pakistan would be back on the global Tourism platform, and its prospects of becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the world would seem to be realistic and not some far-fetched notion. Earlier I was thinking that time is now drawing closer but after monster flood and then political and economic uncertainty we have to wait for some time more to see and enjoy the hey days of tourism Pakistan. But still I have unflinching faith and believe that Pakistan can truly unleash its potential as one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.
