World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day

The first World Tourism Day was celebrated on September 27th, 1980 with the seminar “Tourism’s contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding”. It was established a year earlier by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), which chose the date because it is also the anniversary of the approval of the WTO Statutes, established in 1970, and because it is the holiday season in the southern hemisphere.

This is one of the most famous dates on the global annual calendar, aimed at recognizing the impact of tourism on the economic and social growth of nations worldwide. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to encourage people to travel with friends and loved ones, discover different tourist attractions they are not accustomed to, and generate income for the various businesses that make up the tourism industry.

From 1980 to 1997, the WTO conducted seminars and talks at its offices in Spain. However, this international organization, formally affiliated with the United Nations (UN), decided to propose an annual host country starting from 1998 (Mexico), where many countries from North and Central America (3), South America (3), Europe (4), Africa (5), and Asia (9) assumed the position of hosts.

Tourist at the Huacachina Lagoon, in southern Peru, in the Ica region. Credit: Shutterstock.

World Tourism Day in Peru

In 2008, under the theme “Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change”, Peru hosted this event, which aims to raise awareness among the population about the importance of tourism in the economic, social, political, and cultural areas. It is one of the alternatives for a country to develop sustainably on the economic area.

If you want to visit Peru, what are the regions you should not miss? If you want to travel back in time and know thoroughly the culture of ancient Peru, your ideal destination is Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. If you are looking for a city that contrasts modernity with colonial times, Lima and its historical sites are for you.

If you are seeking sunny spaces and want to learn more about the ancient cultures of Paracas and Nasca, the southern region of Ica is waiting for you. If you want to experience the idiosyncrasies of the Peruvian Andes, there are alternatives like Arequipa and Puno, two regions where you can find both cultural and natural attractions. Have you heard of the Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca? That is just a taste of what you can find in these regions.