NEW YORK – Countries around the globe celebrated World Tourism Day on Saturday, September 27, 2025, focusing on the urgent need for a ‘Sustainable Transformation’ within the industry. The theme, championed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), highlighted the sector’s pivotal role in driving equitable economic growth, fostering cultural exchange, and protecting the environment in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The day was marked by a series of high-level events across multiple continents. The flagship international gathering, organized by the UNWTO, was held in the historic city of Melaka, Malaysia, and featured Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
In Africa, celebrations were vibrant. Uganda’s Arua City hosted marches and exhibitions attended by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, while in Kenya, Mombasa County saw processions led by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano. In Asia, India marked the occasion with policy launches in New Delhi, featuring Minister Suresh Gopi.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside leaders from tourism-dependent nations like the Maldives, underscored the day’s message. They emphasized tourism’s vast potential to create jobs and build climate resilience through eco-friendly innovations and meaningful community involvement, signaling a collective push for a more responsible and inclusive future for global travel.
The widespread participation from governments and international bodies indicates a strengthening consensus on prioritizing sustainability as the cornerstone of tourism’s post-pandemic recovery and long-term future.
