Global Tourism Resilience Day (17 Feb)
Global Tourism Resilience Day is an official United Nations’ day of observance to raise awareness about the importance of building resilience in the tourism sector. It is observed annually on February 17th. The date was chosen in recognition of the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, a global agreement that aims to reduce disaster risk and build resilience.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) took the initiative to establish this day. It serves as a platform for governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to come together and share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in tourism resilience. The day is marked by various activities, including conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, and awareness campaigns.
The purpose of Global Tourism Resilience Day is to:
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Raise awareness: Promote understanding of the importance of tourism resilience and its role in sustainable tourism development.
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Share knowledge: Facilitate the exchange of information, best practices, and lessons learned in tourism resilience.
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Build capacity: Support the development of skills, knowledge, and tools to enhance tourism resilience at all levels.
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Foster collaboration: Encourage partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders in the tourism sector to build a more resilient industry.
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Advocate for support: Advocate for policies and financial support for tourism resilience initiatives at the national, regional, and international levels.
Global Tourism Resilience Day serves as a reminder that building resilience in tourism is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. By working together, stakeholders can create a more resilient tourism industry that can withstand and recover from crises, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, and pandemics.
Celebrating Global Tourism Resilience Day
“Global Tourism Resilience Day” is celebrated worldwide through various initiatives and activities to promote the resilience of the tourism industry. Here’s how it’s celebrated:
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Educational Campaigns: Educational campaigns are conducted to raise awareness about the importance of tourism resilience and its role in sustainable tourism development.
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Webinars and Workshops: Industry experts and stakeholders participate in webinars and workshops to discuss best practices and strategies for building resilience in the tourism sector.
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Case Study Sharing: Successful case studies of destinations and businesses that have effectively implemented resilience measures are shared to inspire others.
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Resilience Awards: Some organizations recognize and honor individuals, businesses, or destinations that have demonstrated exceptional resilience and innovation in tourism.
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Panel Discussions: Panel discussions involving industry leaders, government officials, and academics are organized to explore different aspects of tourism resilience.
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Community Engagement: Local communities are involved in resilience-building activities, such as developing community-based tourism initiatives or enhancing disaster preparedness plans.
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Sustainability Initiatives: Efforts are made to promote sustainable tourism practices that contribute to the long-term resilience of destinations and the environment.
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Public-Private Collaboration: Public-private sector collaborations are encouraged to foster innovation and resource-sharing for resilience building.
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Social Media Campaigns: Social media campaigns using hashtags like #GlobalTourismResilienceDay or #ResilientTourism are used to spread awareness and encourage participation.
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Tourism Resilience Hubs: Some organizations establish tourism resilience hubs or platforms to provide resources, tools, and expertise to support resilience efforts in the industry.
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Research and Innovation: Research institutions and organizations collaborate to advance research on tourism resilience and develop innovative solutions for the sector.
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Policy Advocacy: Advocacy efforts are undertaken to influence policy decisions and promote the adoption of resilience-oriented policies in tourism.
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Capacity Building: Training programs and capacity-building initiatives are organized to equip tourism professionals with the skills and knowledge needed for resilience building.
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Networking and Partnerships: Networking events and partnership-building initiatives are facilitated to foster collaboration and exchange of best practices among stakeholders.
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Global Resilience Declaration: Some organizations encourage destinations and businesses to sign a global resilience declaration, committing to implementing resilience strategies and sharing their experiences.