Travel and tourism generate over 10 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to new numbers released by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in honor of World Tourism Day.
The WTTC is joining the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the celebration of World Tourism Day in Qatar to highlight the economic, social and environmental contribution of travel and tourism to sustainable development around the world.
In a written statement, Gloria Guevara, president and CEO, WTTC, said: “Travel & Tourism is a remarkable sector, it brings people from different backgrounds, culture and beliefs closer together, driving peace, in addition to the significant socioeconomic benefits to a country’s welfare and local livelihoods.
Travel & Tourism has a huge role to play in sustainable development, whilst on average global level the sector generates over 10 percent of the world’s GDP and supports 1 in 10 jobs, these figures can be, and often are, a lot higher and denser on local level. When done well, which means growing Travel & Tourism in a sustainable and inclusive fashion, tourism is a catalyst for job creation, community development, environmental protection and economic growth.”
The strength and beauty of how travel and tourism can impact and change people’s lives in a positive way are encompassed in the stories in WTTC’s new campaign ‘Transforming our World’.
Transforming our World provides an insight into the stories of people that operate in travel and tourism and show how the sector has transformed their world or how they use tourism to transform other people’s worlds.
Guevara said, “I believe there is a real value in storytelling and as a sector this is something we can do better. Sharing a story is powerful, inspirational, and educational. Through our campaign I encourage other people and organizations within Travel & Tourism to share their story too.”
The current campaign stories, which come from WTTC’s Tourism for Tomorrow program, cover the transformational stories of people in all corners of the world - including Botswana, China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and USA – and cut across education, community, nature, and wildlife.
WTTC would love to hear how tourism has transformed your life, please share your story on: http://www.transformingour.world/awards/whats-your-story/
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