The UN has chosen sustainable tourism for development for 2017 year main theme.
This means that all the year long different events with sustainable tourism as main topic are going to be celebrated all around the globe .
And the first event was the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) where the United Nations Worldwide Tourism Organization (UNWTO) inaugurated the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development the past January 18th, in Madrid.
With an exciting and engaging promotional video, the UNWTO made it clear the resolutions for this new year: promote a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior to transform tourism into a more sustainable activity.
UNWTO invites the entire community to participate throughout 2017 to share their solutions, stories and valuable information to make tourism a more sustainable activity.
The official website of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism is now online with all the information on events worldwide and the possibility of joining the sustainable travel movement through all social networks with #IY2107 and #travelenjoyrespect.
Why is sustainable tourism important for the United Nations?
Every year, more than 1.2 billion people cross borders around the world. From an economic point of view, tourism represents 10% of world GDP. And experts says that by 2030 there will be 1.8 billion people traveling around the world.
There is no doubt that tourism is an engine of growth and development and a great tool for the common good. Well-managed tourism contributes to sustainable development as it helps to fulfill the objectives proposed in 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The #IY2017 will promote tourism’s role in the following five key areas:
- Inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction
- Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change
- Cultural values, diversity and heritage
- Mutual understanding, peace and security.
Sustainable tourism requires sustainable travelers
In general we feel apart from this type of official actions, as speeches are adressed to the governmental sectors and big companies.
And that’s ok. The main players has the biggest responsabilities and the work of making things better for the planet is in their hands.
But, each one of us also have a real and powerful force to change things in the world. We don’t need to work in the UN, belong to a peace corp or be a celebrity to contribute for a better world.
And we start with our daily actions as citizens of the world and consumers. Being aware of our daily actions and choices is key so that we can naturally replicate them to our greatest passion: travel.
We can not separte the person from the traveller. So, it is very important understand that how we live, we travel.
Once we have incorporated sustainable habits into our routine, sustainable travel becomes natural. And thus we become sustainable travelers.
Ammanik’s commitment in the year of sustainable tourism
This is Ammanik’s 5 year of work and we celebrate the #IY2017 with the launch of our new web site.
We are joining #IY2017, sharing new travel proposals and publications throughout the year (and the followings), to think about travel in a more sustainable way.
We love the world and we love meeting new places and interacting with people from other latitudes and cultures. That is why we want to take care of the world and share with you the best way to do what we love: sustainable travel.
If you want to stay connected with us and get the latest sustainable travel news, trip proposals and special promotions, follow us in social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
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