South Africa will join the global community celebrating World Tourism Day (WTD) at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on Friday.
World Tourism Day is a United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) initiative observed annually on 27 September to highlight the sector’s contribution to the socio–economic development of nation and the advancement of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Themed: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, the 2025 WTD celebration will highlight the sector’s contribution to driving sustainable and inclusive local economies, while advocating for sector collaboration on transformative programmes that will create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, economic growth, vibrant and sustainable tourism communities.
“As one of the largest economic sectors in the world, tourism plays a significant role in creating environments that support innovation, transformation, and sustainable tourism communities, thus contributing to addressing the socio-economic challenges that impact global societies,” the Department of Tourism said in a statement.
South Africa celebrates World Tourism Day in the wake of the successful hosting of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting in Mpumalanga and the signing of the G20 Tourism declaration by the member states.
“These milestones echo South Africa’s and the global community’s commitment to achieving the UN SDGs by promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism through digital innovation, tourism financing, air connectivity and resilience,” the department said.
The World Tourism Day celebrations will be hosted in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government and its tourism marketing authority, tourism stakeholders and South African Tourism. – SAnews.gov.za
