Celebrating the Spirit of Travel during World Tourism Day 2019!

Each year, the 27^th of September commemorates World Tourism Day, with celebrations preceded by the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation). The central focus is to inculcate awareness among the international community of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic significance and the contribution the sector can make in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2019, in line with UNWTO’s supreme emphasis on Skills, Education and Jobs throughout the year, World Tourism Day will be a celebration revolving around the topic “Tourism and jobs: a better future for all”.

The UNWTO’s initiative, calls attention to the global issues and aspirations around tourism. Despite a challenging round for tourism in recent years, it remains an influential economic contributor, a key producer of jobs and opportunities and an agent of change; functioning as it does to bring travellers to new, unique destinations, people and experiences.

In 2019, the celebrations are conducted in Delhi, India, a city which at present is gaining a peak of tourist footprint, thanks to the constant advancement in digital technology; celebrated with great interest by various tourism organisations, enterprises, government agencies, etc. In the modern-day, tourism has become the incessantly budding and emerging economic sector globally because of the emergence of numerous stunning attractions in unique destinations for tourists and is now a major source of income for developing countries.

The potential of each economic sector can be consumed to its fullest with the creation and safeguarding of equitable employment, a crucial fact to growing social inclusion, security and peace.   

The advent of new technologies has paved the way for the evolution of new forms of labour that are swiftly altering production processes globally, bestowing opportunities as well as weight on existing employment, education programmes and wellbeing.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has stated that in 2018, global unemployment remains high, reaching more than 190 million. All countries and industries, therefore, need to create conditions for more and improved occupations. Also highlighting the fact that embracing new technology can play a crucial role in attaining this goal.

Substantial investment in training and skills for life and work is of utmost importance to making the new wave of technological advances as inclusive as possible. To initiate this, we need to scrutinise the impact of technological change on socioeconomic growth, jobs and inequality, whilst also providing tools and skills to those seeking employment and as well to those whose jobs are in jeopardy of automation.

By positioning people and work they do at the heart of economic, social policy and business practice, the trail towards growth, equity and sustainability consist of three pillars of action:

• Increase investment in people’s capabilities
• Increase investment in the institutions of work
• Increase investment in decent and sustainable work

Another central focus at this year’s forum would revolve around how businesses and organisations can give back to the environment, sharing how their travel agendas can positively impact our world’s finite resources. Three foremost sustainability strategies being addressed at the 2019 World Tourism Day Forum would be first, Food Waste Reduction, second, Carbon Offsetting and lastly, Locally Owned Businesses.

Travel imparts tolerance. As the discerning traveller discover other places, people and cultures, they cultivate an understanding of how change is not an aspect to be feared. This is true when speaking about Sri Lankans engaging with people and experiences beyond their backyard, as it is for the global traveller who encounters life in the parishes of our Island Nation.