2024.09.29
On September 27, the official celebration of WORLD TOURISM DAY 2024 took place in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. At the invitation of Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, Mr. LIU Shijun, WTA Vice Chair and Secretary-General, led the WTA delegation to participate in this event.
Prime Minister of Georgia Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze delivered a speech
UN Tourism Secretary-General Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili delivered a speech
The theme of WORLD TOURISM DAY 2024 was “TOURISM AND PEACE”. Speakers at the event, including Prime Minister of Georgia Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze, UN Tourism Secretary-General Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia H.E. Ahmed Bin Aqeel al-Khateeb, and Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, delivered speeches focusing on topics such as tourism fostering cultural exchange, tourism and peace, innovation in tourism, and peace education. Mr. Levan Davitashvili, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, attended the opening ceremony and related activities. The event attracted nearly 500 representatives from 51 countries and regions, including 13 tourism ministers. During the event, a handover ceremony took place, with Malaysia selected as the host for WORLD TOURISM DAY 2025.
Mr. LIU Shijun was invited to meet with Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
During his visit, Mr. LIU Shijun held friendly exchanges with representatives of various governments, international organizations, and businesses, where he introduced the development of WTA and extended invitations to attend the upcoming “WTA • Xianghu Dialogue”, which will be held in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, from October 29 to November 1.
WORLD TOURISM DAY was established by the UN Tourism at its third General Assembly held in Torremolinos, Spain, in September 1979. Celebrated annually on September 27, the date commemorates the adoption of the UN Tourism Statutes on September 27, 1970, and marks the transition of tourism seasons between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Since its first celebration in 1980, WORLD TOURISM DAY has been themed each year to promote the global concept of tourism, explain its role and significance, and advance the development of the world tourism industry.