Global Tourism Resilience Day Focuses on Strengthening Sustainable Development
The United Nations' Global Tourism Resilience Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly on February 17 last year, aims to raise awareness about the necessity of promoting resilient tourism development capable of withstanding various challenges, whether anticipated or unforeseen. It emphasizes the crucial role of the tourism industry in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and advocates for the formulation of strategies to rapidly recover and restore tourism activities following disruptions.
Many developing countries, especially the least developed ones, heavily depend on tourism as a primary source of income and employment. The absence of tourism revenue would result in significant economic losses for these nations, leading to a decline in living standards and various socio-demographic challenges.
The tourism industry is susceptible to a wide range of factors, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural calamities, conflicts, labor strikes, and more. The COVID-19 pandemic showcased the industry's vulnerability through travel restrictions, border closures, and widespread quarantines, severely impacting global tourism.(Source:astanatimes)
According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism contributed $3.5 trillion to the global economy in 2019, accounting for 4% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). However, in 2021, the economic contribution of tourism dropped to an estimated $1.9 trillion, although it exceeded the $1.6 trillion reported in 2020. These figures indicate cumulative losses of $3.5 trillion in the direct contribution of tourism to GDP during 2020-2021.
