This year's World Tourism Day in Riyadh brought together leaders and experts from 120 countries, advocating for global tourism cooperation.
One of the main messages at the 2023 World Tourism Day in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was "Discover the undiscovered." Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized the importance of exploring lesser-known destinations to spread wealth and opportunities.
This historic event, organized by the United Nations agency World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), gathered leaders and experts from 120 countries to promote sustainable, responsible, and accessible tourism.
The UNWTO introduced the "Tourism Opens Minds" initiative, aiming to encourage travelers and nations to be more open-minded in their travel choices and diversify their destinations.
Under the theme "tourism and green investments," this year's discussions focused on sustainability and prosperity. Spain, for example, invested €3.4 billion in greener and socially sustainable tourism, aligning with its commitment to the well-being of both people and the planet.
The global tourism industry is projected to contribute €8.9 trillion to GDP in 2023, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
As the event concluded, Georgia was selected to host next year's World Tourism Day, receiving international recognition for its tourism brand.
