World Tourism Day is celebrated globally every year on September 27. Since 1980, the day has been observed with due honor under the initiative of the United Nations tourism agency, UN Tourism. To make the day more meaningful, UN Tourism assigns a theme every year and also designates a Host Country for the central celebration. The theme for World Tourism Day 2025 is "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation". The Bangladesh tourism authority has translated this as "Tourism for Sustainable Development". This year, the honor of being the Host Country has been bestowed upon Malaysia, an Asian nation. The central event of World Tourism Day took place in the highly attractive tourism city of Melaka. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Bangladesh Tourism Board is celebrated World Tourism Day this year as well through various arrangements.
The theme "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation is extremely relevant for Bangladesh at this time. Despite being a relatively small and densely populated country, Bangladesh lacks no tourism resources. The world's longest sea beach, the tea gardens of the Sylhet region, the haors of Sunamganj and Kishoreganj, the Sundarbans in Khulna, archaeological sites scattered across the country, indigenous communities their diverse cultures along with our renowned hospitality have greatly enriched the tourism industry. While we have achieved progress in this sector, there is immense potential for further advancement. We have yet to establish a strong presence on the global tourism map or even at the regional level. Meanwhile, human civilization is facing threats due to climate change. Countries particularly vulnerable to climate change are taking various measures to manage risks. Sustainable management is an extremely effective mechanism to make our beloved Earth livable for future generations. The concept of a circular economy is playing a significant role in advancing sustainable development. Through the practices of Reduce, Reuse & Recycle (3Rs), we are striving to preserve the world's resources for future generations while responsibly utilizing them in the present. Globally, there is a growing trend of positive transformation in economic resource usage. Methods of consumption and utilization of resources can make development sustainable are now widely practiced.
“The greatest advantage of the tourism industry is that it generates numerous decent jobs. By creating business opportunities, it can attract domestic and foreign investment. It also plays a key role in infrastructure development and the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage”
Through the theme "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation" the tourism industry is portrayed as a powerful catalyst for positive transformation in sustainable economic development. In essence, sustainable tourism points toward sustainable development. To make tourism itself sustainable, good governance and long-term, people-centric planning are essential. It must be remembered that tourism is not just an economic endeavor. Responsible tourism has the potential to open new horizons in social progress, education, employment various socio-economic developments. However, this requires inclusive practices, which ensure social equity and welfare while establishing resilient and sustainable tourism management.
The Agenda-30 or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 provide a blueprint for positive transformation in socio-economic development. Guided by the mantra "No one left behind" efforts are ongoing to create a hunger-free, poverty-free livable world. Economic growth and job creation (SDG 8), sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12) conservation of natural resources (SDGs 13, 14 15) are directly or indirectly linked to the tourism industry. Achieving these goals requires the tourism sector to adopt sustainable practices in social development, environmental protection, responsible resource use, carbon reduction, cultural understanding. Through such measures, tourism can play a direct role in ensuring human welfare and building a livable, beautiful planet.
Through a global process of positive transformation, UN Tourism's theme this year, "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation" highlights tourism's significance in achieving SDG targets by 2030.
Bangladesh's main tourist attractions are primarily natural. The Sundarbans, Tanguarhaor, Cox's Bazar and Kuakata beaches, green hills of the hill districts, dense forests, Sylhet's tea gardens natural waterfalls are prime destinations for domestic and international tourists. These sites have potential to become even more environmentally friendly. Some initiatives to make certain tourism destinations sustainable are already visible, such as St. Martin's Island. The interim government has undertaken measures to ensure sustainable tourism there, including determining carrying capacity and setting travel seasons. Necessary ECA (Environmentally Critical Area) regulations are being strictly enforced. Similarly, in the Sundarbans, travel seasons and various restrictions have been imposed by the government. These measures have benefited, rather than harmed, the tourism industry. It is hoped that appropriate restrictions will be applied to all tourism destinations to promote responsible tourism across the country.
The greatest advantage of the tourism industry is that it generates numerous decent jobs. By creating business opportunities, it can attract domestic and foreign investment. It also plays a key role in infrastructure development and the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage. These benefits are easily visible in successful tourism countries.
Currently, approximately 2.6 percent of total employment in Bangladesh comes from the tourism sector, with a contribution of around 3 percent to GDP. There is immense potential to multiply this contribution many times over. To harness tourism's potential for achieving SDGs and positive socio-economic transformation, tourism management must first be based on a sustainable foundation. Strategic innovation and digitalization can make tourism management more dynamic. Greater emphasis should be placed on sustainable and green investments, natural resource use, conservation management should be more careful and responsible.
The writer is former Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh Tourism Board
