Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Jadetimes Staff
T. Jayasinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Travel News
World Tourism Day, commemorated each year on September 27, gives reason to believe that tourism is turning significant in shaping the world's economies, societies, and cultures. The theme of World Tourism Day 2024 will be "Tourism and Peace," emphasizing the power of travel in bridging the cultural divide and furthering mutual understanding to contribute toward lasting harmony in the world.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared in a statement that "Tourism brings people together,"summarizing the spirit of this year's celebration. By its nature, tourism is among the most prominent driving forces toward intercultural dialogue and collaboration; it builds up relationships that extend beyond borders, languages, and ideologies. It therefore helps destroy walls between countries and enables peace by exposing individuals to methods of life different from their own, appreciate them, and treat them respectfully.
The theme of "Tourism and Peace" has come at a time when the world is still confronted with geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and rising social divisions. In this light, tourism comes to play as soft power by reinforcing that peaceful coexistence is possible through human interaction, shared experiences, and cultural exchange. As travelers visit different countries and delve into diverse communities, they act as ambassadors of peace who spread good will and understanding across the globe.
Besides, sustainable tourism, which accelerates nowadays, contributes much to world peace. Many are now able to travel with a purpose: for instance, due to the increasing awareness of environmental protection and supporting the locals. The supportive tourism can indeed nurture peace in addition to alleviating poverty, providing jobs, and improving the quality of life across diverse parts of the globe.
"World Tourism Day 2024" will highlight case studies from countries where tourism has acted and continues to act as a real driver for peacebuilding and reconciliation-from post-conflict nations that have used tourism as an important element in rebuilding their economies to cultural exchange programs fostering international understanding, through which the power of tourism as a driver for peace will be unmistakable.
The UNWTO itself will organize several global events, forums, and discussions on the theme, bringing together policymakers, CEOs, and cultural ambassadors. These events will discuss conflict resolution through tourism, economic benefits accruing from peace, and ethical responsibility on the part of travelers to help make the world a more peaceful place.
In short, "World Tourism Day 2024" reminds us that tourism is not just a means to travel for pleasure; it forms a part of the peacebuilding processes in today's interconnected world. Embracing tourism to connect people and build peace propels us toward collaboration, understanding, and respect that will hallmark international relations in the future.
