Making tourism accessible

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. 

The theme for 2016 is ‘Tourism for All — promoting universal accessibility’. According to UNWTO, “accessible tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all, whether we are traveling or staying at home. May that be due to a disability, even temporary, families with small children, or the ageing population, at some point in our lives, sooner or later, we all benefit of universal accessibility in tourism.” 

While UNWTO invites people of all ages and backgrounds to hold and take part in celebrations in their respective country or holiday destination, official WTD celebrations take place in a UNWTO Member State, on the basis of geographic rotation. 

The official host country for the global celebration this year is Thailand with Bangkok as the host city while Siam Kempinski Hotel is the designated venue.