World Resilient Tourism Day
World Resilient Tourism Day
In an interconnected world, tourism is no longer just a recreational activity, but has become a fundamental pillar of economic growth and cultural exchange, as it opens new horizons for development, provides job opportunities, and improves the quality of life for millions around the world. Given the importance of this sector, the need arises to establish foundations that guarantee its continuity and prosperity despite the changes it may face.
Hence the concept ofResilient tourism reflects the importance of building a tourism sector that is flexible enough to face crises and sudden changes, whether economic or social. Resilience means that tourism does not stop in the face of challenges, but rather adapts and reshapes its paths to remain a source of growth and stability.
In this spirit, the United Nations General Assembly adopted February 17 of each year as the World Day for Resilient Tourism, celebrating the role of this sector in building a more sustainable future, and calling for the development of strategies that guarantee its flexibility, through cooperation between actors and diversification of tourism products, so that it remains able to grow despite the challenges.
The impact of the Corona pandemic on the tourism sector
The tourism sector is one of the sectors most vulnerable to sudden factors, such as outbreaks of infectious diseases, natural disasters, conflicts, and strikes. This makes it vulnerable to global crises, and the Corona pandemic is a clear example of this, as travel restrictions, border closures, and quarantines have led to a sharp decline in tourism activity. Which revealed the extent of the impact of sudden crises on the continuity of this sector.
According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy reached $3.5 trillion in 2019, which is equivalent to 4% of the global gross domestic product. With the beginning of the pandemic, these contributions declined to reach $1.6 trillion in 2020, then witnessed a slight increase to $1.9 trillion in 2021. These figures indicate that the direct cumulative losses in GDP from the tourism sector during the years 2020 and 2021 amounted to about $3.5 trillion.
The World Tourism Organization expected that the international tourism sector will witness a significant recovery to reach 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, as the world recorded – according to the organization’s data – about 975 million international tourists during the period between January and September 2023, an increase of 38% compared to the same period in 2022.
The organization’s report indicated that the Middle East region topped the global recovery scene, as the number of arrivals to it exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 20%. This makes it the only region to exceed 2019 numbers during this period. In Europe, 550 million international tourists were received, representing 56% of the total global tourism movement, and equivalent to 94% of pre-pandemic levels.
As for Africa, it has recovered by 92% compared to the numbers of arrivals before the pandemic, while the Americas reached 88% of the latest statistics for 2019, and in contrast, the Asia-Pacific region recorded a slower recovery, as the percentage of arrivals reached 62% of pre-pandemic levels as a result of the slow reopening of international travel in that region.
Sustainable tourism is a balance between development and the environment
Tourism is one of the main engines of economic growth, especially in developing countries that depend on it as a major source of income and the provision of foreign currencies. In addition to its economic role, tourism creates a direct link between humans and nature. Which makes it an effective tool for enhancing environmental awareness and encouraging the protection of natural resources, and from here stems the importance ofSustainable tourism, which aims to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental preservation while respecting the cultural identity of local communities.
Sustainable tourism includes multiple activities, includingecotourism, which is one of its specialized forms; While ecotourism focuses on visiting natural areas with a commitment to preserving biodiversity and reducing environmental impact, sustainable tourism extends to all types of tourism, ensuring that it is managed responsibly and takes into account environmental, social and economic sustainability. Ecotourism is concerned with protecting ecosystems and promoting environmentally friendly tourism practices, while sustainable tourism aims to make the entire tourism sector more responsible and sustainable in the long term.
The impact ofSustainable tourismis not only limited to the environment; Rather, it extends to the cultural and social aspects, as it contributes to supporting local heritage, improving the quality of life in host communities, providing fair economic opportunities to empower women and youth, promoting local entrepreneurship, and encouraging community participation in development. Making it an essential pillar for a more balanced and sustainable future.
International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism
In February 2024, the United Nations General Assembly decided that 2027 would be the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, encouraging all countries and other actors to take advantage of this International Year to strengthen actions at all levels through international cooperation, and support sustainable and resilient tourism, as an essential means to promote and accelerate access to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Within the framework of the Earth Guards’ commitment to supportingSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it attaches special importance to resilient tourism, as a model that reflects the balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Enhancing the flexibility of this sector contributes to achieving sustainable and comprehensive development that supports communities and preserves resources for us and for future generations.
