Tourism: A key sector in the world

Ranjan K Baruah *

Hungpung : Magnificient Landscape of Ukhrul District, Manipur in 2016 :: Pix - Kahorpam Horam

Tourists are everywhere whether it is in India or outside, we could find tourist which includes domestic or international. There is no shadow of doubt that tourism is an important sector in the world as it can contribute towards positive change in the society.

International tourist arrivals worldwide have grown from 25 million in 1950 to nearly 1.3 billion today Similarly, international tourism revenues earned by destinations around the world have grown from 2 billion US dollars in 1950 to 1260 trillion in 2015.

The sector represents an estimated 10% of the world's GDP and 1 in 10 jobs globally. The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) expects that tourism will continue to grow at an average of 3% annually until 2030. This growth reflects the progressive expansion of access to tourism thanks to the decline in the price of transport, especially air transport, and growing middle classes worldwide.

The recognition of the right to holidays in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the improved adoption of labour rights in many countries have also supported the coming of age of tourism. These factors also serve as a backdrop for the resilience shown by tourism in recent years. The sector has experienced almost uninterrupted growth despite challenges such as the global economic crisis, natural disasters and pandemics.

World Tourism Day is commemorated each year on 27 September. Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to highlight the contribution the tourism industry can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, invites all interested parties to take part on 27 September each year in the special celebrations taking place in their respective country or holiday destination. This year the theme for the tourism day is 'Tourism and the Digital Transformation'.

This year the international celebration is being held in Budapest, Hungary, a country enjoying steady growth of tourism backed by consistent policy support and a commitment to the digital future. Other celebrations will take place worldwide. The timing of World Tourism Day is particularly appropriate in that it comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere.

United Nations Secretary-General's on his message said that "the wide reach of tourism into many sectors, from infrastructure and energy to transport and sanitation, and its huge impact on job creation, make it a vital contributor to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At the same time, tourism plays a pivotal role in advancing cultural understanding and bringing people together". He also added that "digital technologies have brought positive momentum to societies and economies around the world. They have connected us on a global level, helped to empower the most vulnerable and become our crucial allies for sustainable development. Our challenge is to continue harnessing this power for good while safeguarding against the risks."

Secretary General of UNWTO on his message said that "we live in an increasingly connected and interdependent world with digital advances transforming how we inform ourselves, transforming our behaviour, and encouraging innovation. We need not only new tools but also new capacities and ways of thinking. So across the United Nations family we are designing innovative projects, initiatives and partnerships."

"Harnessing innovation and digital advances provides tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda. The digital transformation is about providing benefits to all, and we are making sure that tourism contributes to this global commitment", he added.

Tourism has vast potential in the north eastern region of India. All the state government must plan in sustainable way and brand the destination so that it gets maximum tourist from outside. There can be new initiatives and new start ups which may enhance the tourism sector.

Entire north eastern region has the capacity to earn more revenue through tourism. Governments and all other stakeholders must work well to improve tourism in the region.

(With direct inputs from UN publication )