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• An official celebration took place in Riyadh, in a day that brought together more than 50 Ministers of Tourism and hundreds of delegates from the public and private sectors.

During World Tourism Day 2023, leaders from all regions of the world united around a shared determination to invest in the growth and transformation of the sector. This year the anniversary was celebrated with the motto ‘Green tourism and investments’.

The official celebrations, hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, brought together more than 50 Tourism Ministers and hundreds of high-level delegates from the public and private sectors, as well as UNWTO Member States and tourism stakeholders from across . the world.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted the need for the entire sector to step up investments for the benefit of people, planet and prosperity. “Tourism must lead the acceleration of our shift towards greater resilience and sustainability. For that we need more investment, and of the right kind,” Pololikashvili highlighted.

Exploring the theme of tourism and ecological investments, a series of expert panels were held throughout the day on September 27, focused on the priorities of investing in people (through education and employment); at destinations (including new destinations and products to reduce overcrowding and diversify services); in innovation and entrepreneurship; and in ecological transformation. These investments provide better support for the fulfillment of Agenda 2023 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The day, lasting more than seven hours, can be viewed through the YouTube channel of the World Tourism Organization.