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Global Tourism Resilience Day serves as a call to action for governments, businesses and travellers alike to prioritise sustainable and adaptable tourism practices.
Global Tourism Resilience Day is a global commitment to strengthening tourism against future shocks. (Image: Shutterstock)
Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: Every year on February 17, the world unites to recognise Global Tourism Resilience Day, a pivotal occasion dedicated to the strength and adaptability of the tourism industry. This special day underscores the importance of building a tourism sector that can withstand disruptions, bounce back stronger and continue fostering economic growth, cultural exchange and environmental sustainability.
In an era where global challenges such as climate change, economic downturns and pandemics threaten industries, tourism stands out as one of the most vulnerable yet resilient sectors.
Recognising the significance of this industry in shaping economies and societies, Global Tourism Resilience Day serves as a call to action for governments, businesses and travellers alike to prioritise sustainable and adaptable tourism practices.
By raising awareness and fostering innovative solutions, this observance aims to ensure that tourism remains a powerful tool for economic recovery, cultural exchange and environmental conservation.
Global Tourism Resilience Day: History
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution A/RES/77/269, Global Tourism Resilience Day is more than just a celebration, it is a global commitment to strengthening tourism against future shocks.
It calls on nations to develop strategies for post-crisis recovery, foster public-private collaborations and diversify tourism offerings to reduce dependency on any single source of revenue.
Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: Significance
Tourism is far more than just vacations and sightseeing; for many nations, particularly developing ones, it is a cornerstone of economic stability. Countries across Africa, small island nations and middle-income economies rely heavily on tourism as a primary source of income, foreign exchange, employment and tax revenue.
This industry not only fuels local businesses but also connects people to nature, encouraging conservation efforts and environmental responsibility.
Sustainable tourism, especially ecotourism, plays a crucial role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It promotes economic expansion, reduces poverty and creates jobs while supporting local cultures and ecosystems.
Moreover, it fosters responsible consumer behaviour, ensures the sustainable use of marine and terrestrial resources and uplifts marginalised communities, including indigenous groups, women and youth.
Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: Celebration
Global Tourism Resilience Day is marked by conferences, workshops and awareness campaigns, highlighting the importance of a resilient tourism sector. Governments, businesses and organisations collaborate to discuss best practices, innovative solutions and policy recommendations to ensure that tourism remains a sustainable and stable economic driver.
Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: All You Need To Know
The world has seen firsthand how crises — pandemics, natural disasters or economic downturns — can devastate the tourism industry. The COVID-19 pandemic alone led to unprecedented losses, as travel restrictions and border closures caused a steep economic decline.
In 2019, tourism contributed a staggering $3.5 trillion to the global economy, but by 2021, this figure had plummeted to $1.9 trillion.
Yet, the industry’s resilience is evident. As borders reopened, tourism made a steady comeback, with UNWTO projections in 2023 estimating a return to 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year.
The Middle East led the recovery, with tourist arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic figures by 20%, while other regions, including Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific, continued to regain lost ground.
Sustainable and resilient tourism is key to ensuring long-term economic prosperity, social development and environmental conservation. By formalising informal tourism sectors, promoting financial inclusion and encouraging investment in sustainable tourism initiatives, countries can safeguard their economies from future uncertainties.
As the world continues to recover, resilient tourism offers a roadmap for sustainable growth. It is not just about bouncing back—it is about bouncing forward. With the right policies, investments and global cooperation, tourism can become a catalyst for positive change, benefiting local communities while preserving the planet for future generations.
On February 17, let’s celebrate the indomitable spirit of tourism and commit to building a future where travel remains a force for good, one that is resilient, inclusive and sustainable for all.
Global Tourism Resilience Day 2025: Quotes
- “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
- “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
- “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart
- “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley
- “Travel makes one modest; you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
- “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” – David Mitchell
- “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
- “The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” – Gilbert K. Chesterton
- “The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
- “Travel brings power and love back into your life.” – Rumi.
