by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:52 PM ET, Tue July 17, 2018
Digital technology and the important role it plays in creating an opportunity for innovation in the tourism industry is to be the focus of World Tourism Day 2018.
The event, which will be celebrated on September 27 in Budapest, (as well as around the world), is designed to raise awareness regarding tourism's actual and potential contributions to sustainable development.
In particular, this year's World Tourism (WTD) day will shed light on how technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, can be used to benefit sustainable development, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said in a statement.
UNWTO said it "sees digital advances and innovation as part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector."
"Harnessing innovation and digital advances provides tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda," UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a statement.
The event website goes on to note that digital advances are transforming how we connect and inform ourselves, transforming our behavior, and encouraging innovation and sustainable, responsible growth strategies.
"We must better understand the growing economic, societal and environmental impacts of technology and innovation in tourism if our sector is to sustain continuous and inclusive growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations," states the WTD website.
The official WTD celebration will also include the announcement of the semi-finalists of the first UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, launched by UNWTO and Globalia to provide visibility to startups with innovative ideas capable of revolutionizing the way people travel and enjoy tourism.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
