World Tourism Day focusses on ecotourism and sustainable development

The WTO General Assembly has select “Ecotourism, the key to sustainable development” as the theme for tomorrow’s twenty-third edition of World Tourism Day.

The official celebration will take place in Costa Rica.

In his annual message to mark the occasion, WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli said: “With this decision, it wanted to support the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2002 as International Year of Ecotourism, in itself an unprecedented designation which reflects the growing recognition by the international community of the potential of tourism, and ecotourism in particular, to contribute to the sustainable development process”.

Each year, WTO invites all interested parties to take part in the World Tourism Day celebrations in their respective country or holiday destination. The following is sample of some of the activities organized in different countries in honour of this day (listed by alphabetical order. Please note that not all WTO Member States sent their information):

Worldwide activities for World Tourism Day
Bangladesh
The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh shall observe WTD on 27 Sept. 2002. The important programme for the occasion shall be a colourful rally in Dhaka, the capital city and also in Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar and Rangamati and a publication of a special supplement in the important daily newspapers highlighting importance of the day.

Cambodia
The WTD will be celebrated nationwide, especially at the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia with activities such as: appeal to all institutions, private enterprises as well as citizens, cultural and social events which will be televised and broadcast on radio and published in newspapers all over the country.

Canada
In Ottawa, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) will be observing the WTD hosting a celebration at its headquarters.

China
The China National Tourism Administration will hold the grand celebration for the World Tourism Day in collaboration with the Municipal People’s Government of Yinchuan, Ningxia Autonomour Region on September 27, 2002.

Cuba
Cuba will celebrate this World Tourism Day under the theme “Ecotourism: the Key to Sustainable Development”. Cuba will hold a wide range of activities to celebrate World Tourism Day on 27 September.

Eritrea
The biggest programme will take place at the main Eritrean National Park. In this particular area different activities are going to be performed, including a Statement by the Ministry of Tourism with the theme “Eco-tourism the key to Sustainable Development”.

Ghana
The Ministry of Tourism has planned a series of activities for this year’s celebration starting from the 23rd to the 27th September 2002.
Some of these include:
-Tree planting exercise in all the ten Regional capitals of Ghana involving local communities and schools. Durbar of chiefs at Wli Avegame to provide a platform for the Minister of Tourism and Heads of related Agencies as well as opinion leaders to talk on conservation measures and benefits of eco-tourism.

Holy See (Permanent Observer to the WTO)
Message of John Paul II for the 23rd World Tourism Day 2002(following is a short extract of the original message)
“We should favour forms of tourism that show greater respect for the environment, greater moderation in their use of natural resources and greater solidarity with local cultures. This type of tourism implies a strong ethical motivation based on the norm that the environment is
everyone’s home and that the good of nature is destined for everyone who enjoys it now and for the generations to come.” John Paul II.

Lebanon
A National Ecotourism Forum at the Jeita Caves, with the attendance of the entire national, public and private institutions concerned, eco-tour operators, local authorities and educational institutions, during which all the ecotourism projects carried out during the year will be presented. Discussions among public administrations and private groups are planned during the Forum.

Madeira (Portugal)
Included in the World Tourism Day’s celebrations organized by Madeira Tourism Board is a conference on Tourism and Environment on the 27th of September.

Mexico
Mexico’s Department of Tourism (Sectur) will hold a “Tourism Week” beginning on 27 September. As part of the weeklong celebration, a ceremony will be held with the presence of cabinet members and the President of the Republic. Other activities include a thematic tour by President Vicente Fox Quesada and the Tourism Secretary Leticia Navarro. Some Tourism Week activities:
– Mexican Tourism Investment Fund.
– Presentation of Sustainable Tourism programme “Agenda 21 for Mexican Tourism”.
– Presentation of the “Vision 2025” Programme
– Sports event “Race for Tourism”

Nepal
Tourists arriving in Nepal by air on World Tourism Day (Sep 27, 2002) will get a taste of Nepalese hospitality and tradition famous all over the world. Passengers landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport on that day by first flights of Royal Nepal Airlines from Delhi, Indian Airlines from Kolkata and Thai Airways International from Bangkok will be greeted by Hon. Minister for Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation Mr. Bal Bahadur K.C.

Nigeria
Tree planting ceremony after the public lecture by invited guests, the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja as well as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Tourism Stakeholders. This ceremony is expected to be an annual event to celebrate the WTD.

Philippines
Some of the main events celebrating the WTD include Hirinugyaw Festival, Minuluan Festival, International Coastal Clean-up, Celebrating Biodiversity – An ecotourism Exhibit, Seminar on Ecotourism for Tourism Students, Seminar on Mountain Guiding and Photo Exhibit of Ecotourism Products.

Poland
The official celebration of the twenty-third World Tourism Day in Poland will take place in Bialowieza on Friday, 4 October 2002. The two-days seminar on tourism and nature will precede the celebration. They will also disseminate the Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism in Bialowieza.

Republic of Korea
The Organizing Committee for Visit Korea will celebrate the World Tourism Day with a formal reception hosted by their new Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Kim Seong-jae.

Senegal – Guinea
Senegal and Guinea will hold a joint celebration of World Tourism Day 2002 at the Nokolobadiar Transborder Park shared by the two countries. This event will also serve as a chance to reflect on the Inter-State Ecotourism Development Programme between Guinea and Senegal.

Slovenia
The Slovenian Tourist Board will dedicate the 3rd Slovenian Incoming Workshop to the principles of sustainable tourism. It is expected to be the greatest reunion of the Slovenian tourism offer and some 350 corporate buyers from Europe and Americas.

Spain (SKAL Internacional de Barcelona – International Association of Tourism Professionals)
At 11.00 a.m a mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Sea, followed by a reception in the Salón de Crónicas of the Barcelona City Hall presided by Vice Mayor Jordi Portabella in honour of the persons and institutions awarded the “Importante del Turismo” prize in 2002 for distinguished service to tourism.

Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is undertaking several activities for the World Tourism Day 2002, including organizing the 4th Thailand Tourism Awards on 27 September 2002 (including new award category in ecotourism: the Ecotourism Destination Award”.)

Uganda
Rafting Race in support of the Rhino Fund Uganda. The minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry Dr Sam Nahamya, will start the first race at 10.30am. All Terrain adventures will be helping with the running of the festival as well as displaying their quad bikes and offering the
public a variety of promotional activities.

To view the full programme of activities in Costa Rica:
http://www.world-tourism.org/projects/world/programme.htm

For more information on the World Tourism Day celebrations:
http://www.world-tourism.org/frameset/frame_project_wtd.html