World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27th, is a opportunity to raise awareness on tourism’s actual and potential contribution to sustainable development.
The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary, reports World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
UNWTO’s membership includes 158 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 500 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
World Tourism Day 2018
“Tourism and the Digital Transformation” is the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day 2018 (WTD).
Digital advances are transforming how we connect and inform ourselves, transforming our behaviour, and encouraging innovation and sustainable, responsible growth strategies.
“We must better understand the growing economic, societal and environmental impacts of technology and innovation in tourism if our sector is to sustain continuous and inclusive growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations”, UNWTO says.
We know that a digitally advanced tourism sector can improve entrepreneurship, inclusion, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other important development objectives.
This year’s WTD will help us to further explore the opportunities provided to tourism by technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
Photo courtesy of: European Consumer Centre Romania
