WILLEMSTAD- September 26, 2023 – Each year, World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27. The celebration of World Tourism Day aims to promote the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, and economic value. This year’s theme is Tourism and Green Investments, emphasizing the need to invest in projects for the benefit of people, the planet, and prosperity. Investment in people through education and skills development, investment in the planet through sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation, and investment in prosperity through innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) supports this year’s theme, highlighting the importance of sustainable investment in people, the planet, and prosperity to benefit the development of Curaçao’s tourism.
In his official message in the context of the World Tourism Day theme of 2023, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), stated: “This World Tourism Day we recognize the theme of Tourism and Green Investments. The theme could not be more timely. 2023 was the hottest year on record. And extreme weather events like heat waves could become the new normal. Tourism needs to adapt. For this, we need to rethink how our sector is financed. We need to make it easier for investors of all kinds to support tourism projects with the potential to make a difference. Looking further ahead, we need investments that can empower tourism to build a better and fairer future for all.”
For CTB, the World Tourism Day theme of 2023 is important for Curaçao as well. The growth in the quantity and quality of stay-over tourists in Curaçao should go hand in hand with investment in people, the planet, and prosperity. Investment in people includes e.g. training programs in the hospitality sector, such as the ones currently being conducted, as well as the introduction of tourism in primary schools, which started last year, and the learning hotel where students can learn and also experience the sector. These are all actions that contribute to investment in people as an important part of the development of our tourism.
Regarding the aspect of investment in the planet, we need to look at ways to accelerate the green transformation process in the tourism sector. The aspect of green transformation is not only driven by environmental issues, but also by the increasing demand from travelers who seek destinations that align with their values of environmental and social responsibility. Lastly, to invest in prosperity, it is important to create opportunities for more innovation and support the development of new businesses, products, and/or services for the benefit of the tourism industry. CTB will continue to work together with the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) and other partners in the public and private sectors to contribute to the realization of projects that stimulate investment in people, the planet, and prosperity.
