In a message for World Tourism Day, the acting head of the U.N. World Tourism Organization noted that while globalization can be a means to improve economic collaboration and understanding, it cannot come at the cost of diluting the world’s rich cultural diversity.
“In this respect, travel and tourism can and must play a key role,” said Taleb Rifai.
“Tourism shares the social responsibility of promoting the positive aspects of globalization and as such must direct these global networks towards balanced and sustainable development,” he stated.
World Tourism Day is observed annually on Sept. 27 and this year’s theme was “Tourism: Celebrating Diversity.”
This year’s celebration marked the 30th anniversary of the day and aimed to highlight the wealth of cultural and natural diversity across the globe as well as the role of sustainable tourism in preserving this diversity.
Rifai noted that diversity is one of the driving forces behind tourism and can allow all nations to share the numerous benefits brought about by building stronger ties with other countries.
“As such, tourism is an undisputed catalyst for building understanding, fostering social inclusion and promoting higher standards of living,” he said.
