Today, on World Tourism Day 2023leaders from all regions of the world have united around a common determination to invest in the growth and transformation of the sector.
Organized around the theme of “Tourism and green investments”THE World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) highlights the need for more and better targeted investments for people, for the planet and for prosperity.
Participation in celebrations in Saudi Arabia, host country of World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed that tourism must lead the way in accelerating the sector’s transition towards greater resilience and sustainability.
“For this we need more investment, and the right kind of investment. This is the central message of this year’s World Tourism Day, a message that is amplified by the official hosts of the celebrations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and echoed around the world by our members.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the UNWTO. Photo source: UNWTO
The official World Tourism Day 2023 celebrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, brought together more than 50 tourism ministers alongside hundreds of high-level delegates from the public and private sectors.
According to UNWTO, the World Observing Day celebrations were the largest and most memorable on record.
Greece sends its message
On the occasion of World Tourism Day, key figures from Greek tourism sent their messages, highlighting the need for the entire sector to scale up investments that benefit people, the planet and prosperity.
Ministry of Tourism
Greek Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: GNTO
Speaking at the launch event of the first MICHELIN Guide AthensGreek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni said that World Tourism Day highlights the need to promote policies and investments that lead to sustainability, environmental protection, but also equitable and inclusive tourism development.
“At Ministry of Tourismour planning promotes policies that can lead to competitive and sustainable tourism, guided by green growth, strengthening social cohesion and preserving the identity of destinations and the Greek tourism product,” the minister said, adding that the central axes The ministry’s policy includes the promotion of forms of tourism which contribute to the sustainability, diversification and enrichment of the Greek tourist offer.
“Highlighting resources such as Greek gastronomy and our contemporary culinary offering is one of the most important tools to achieve our goals, as it creates opportunities to enhance both the travel experience and identity particularity of our destinations while guaranteeing numerous advantages for the inhabitants. communities and economies.
Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO)
Angela Gerekou, President of the GNTO.
Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) President Angela Gérékou stressed that tourism “when managed correctly” can be a catalyst for positive change. She invited everyone to commit to a future where tourism and green investments go hand in hand.
“Tourism has long been and must continue to be a beneficial global force… However, it also has an undeniable impact on our environment. As we stand at a crossroads in addressing the challenges of environmental change and degradation, it becomes imperative to harness the transformative power of tourism to promote green investments and protect our planet,” Gerekou said.
The GNTO president is optimistic about creating a world where every journey can leave a positive mark on the planet.
“It’s not just a vision. It is a responsibility we owe to the generations who will come after us. As travelers, industry leaders, policy makers and citizens of this beautiful planet, let us embark on a journey towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future for tourism.
Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers
Grigoris Tasios, president of the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers POX.
The president of Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers, Grigoris Tassiosstressed that the extreme phenomena which constitute the new global reality can also be considered as a “test” for the sustainability of Greek tourism.
“The risks and impacts of climate change do not allow any delay in our strategic priority. They require us to focus on the local characteristics of each destination in terms of sustainability, on changes in travel behavior and, of course, on strengthening and modernizing our infrastructure,” he said.
Tasios stressed that tourism faces great challenges, but also opportunities where “the cooperation of all” is the only solution.
He said the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers continues to support joining forces at all levels; believe in the enormous contribution of the Greek hotel industry to fair prosperity for all; and invest in Greece’s future by leaving a long-term positive footprint on the environment, citizens and society.
Magnesia Hotel Owners Association
Referring to the destruction caused by Storm Daniel and also to this year’s theme of World Tourism Day “Tourism and Green Investment”, which emphasizes the need to invest in projects that benefit people, the planet and prosperity, the Magnesia Hotel Owners Association wondered if “green investments were enough” to help businesses move forward.
“We found out for ourselves after the last catastrophic event of “Daniel”, usually in Thessaly and especially in Magnesia, how much our planet and our world are affected by climate change. Water is polluted, people are uprooted, food is scarce and, in general, sustainability becomes in an instant the problem of our present and our future… But how can we be led to a rebirth through this crisis climate and after so many repeated blows? Are green investments enough to get us back on our feet? » specifies the association in its message.
Magnesia hoteliers have called on the government to support the green transformation of small hotels and small and medium-sized family businesses.
“In the years to come, the environmental footprint of a hotel or a business in general will be a key criterion for visitors. This is already on our agenda… We urgently need a clear action plan to save water, energy, etc., reduce our environmental footprint and invest in quality.
The association concluded its message by saying that the “green agenda” should be supported by everyone and not just hotels, referring to the government’s commitment latest announcement about increase the so-called “tourist tax”daily accommodation fees charged to hotel guests across the country, to partly finance an emergency fund specifically created for natural disasters.
“Green growth and green funds are NOT created by overtaxing hotels, increasing the tourist tax and certainly not just by hotels. »
Halkidiki Tourism Organization
Highlighting this year’s theme for World Tourism Day, the Halkidiki Tourism Organization said he was proud of the new high-quality investments made in Halkidiki by foreign and Greek investors.
The organization praised the “multitude of green practices” and the efforts of local tourism businesses to achieve specific green entrepreneurship goals such as:
• reduction of energy and especially the environmental footprint
• development and marketing of green products and services
• improve the environmental and social profile of companies and reduce the social acceptance deficit
• compliance of companies with international environmental standards
• creation of new jobs.
“We call on all public and private entities to implement green investment practices, as they are considered important parameters in the modern era as the planet faces the rapid evolution of climate change resulting mainly from anthropogenic factors,” the organization concluded.
Ioannina Region Hotel Association
Stathis Sioutis of the Ioannina Region Hotel Association with Giota Mastora, organizer of the tourism conference.
Stathis Sioutisthe former president and current member of the Ioannina Region Hotel Association in northwest Greece, expressed hope that the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day will be an opportunity to develop a greener future for tourism.
“UNWTO highlights the need for more and better investment for people, the planet and prosperity… All of this cannot leave us indifferent,” he said.
Sioutis adds that the destination of IoanninaTHE Epirus region and the whole of Greece bases its tourism on its landscapes and monuments of incomparable beauty, which “we must protect” by moving towards sustainable development.
“As a tourism professional, I know the importance of green investments in our industry, which can keep us competitive in a rapidly changing environment and support local economies. »
World Tourism Day has been celebrated since 1980 September 27, the day of entry into force of the Statutes of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Peace and dialogue, energy, accessibility, world heritage, water and tourism, sustainable tourism, inclusion and tourism and technology are some of the topics covered in previous editions of World Tourism Day.
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