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Like every year, 27. September is celebrated all over the world World Tourism Day, and this year's slogan under which it is held is 'Tourism and Green Investments / Tourism and Green Investments'.
September 27 marks the day of signing the Statute of the Organization that became the UNWTO.
The first World Tourism Day was held in 1980 as the Global Tourism Day, with the aim of celebrating the sector's vital role in promoting peace and prosperity. UNWTO's global regions take turns hosting official celebrations, always at the right time and with a relevant theme.
Sustainable tourism as an imperative
Although there are various definitions, dimensions and understandings of the concept of sustainable tourism, one of the main elements is the use of local resources in the destination, especially through short procurement chains in tourism, i.e. the HoReCa channel.
If we look through the prism of Croatian tourism, we have a certain demand and consumption of over 20 million arrivals and 100.000+ overnight stays. In order for tourism to have a real purpose and thus be sustainable, we must produce enough food for the needs of tourism and connect the HoReCa channel with producers.
Ultimately, this is the meaning of tourism, to reduce tourism consumption and distribute it to the local economy, and not to encourage imports through tourism. Especially through the prism of basic products: from eggs, carrots, lettuce, tomato, salad to cured meat products.
In addition to "zero-kilometer" distribution, strengthening the local economy, small and medium-sized enterprises, keeping people in rural areas with short supply chains (direct distribution, use of intermediaries or clusters), we have ensured products of high quality and freshness.
Also, in recent years, tourists are increasingly interested in the climate footprint of vacation trips, local gastronomy, the origin of food, healthy food, organic and ecological production or cultivation.
What is the monthly demand / consumption = need for domestic eggs, say in Pula, Rijeka or Zadar?
This is a key strategic issue for our destinations. Because tourism is much more than accommodation and the beach and vertically and horizontally connects various industries - and primarily through food producers. If tourism is not sustainable and income generates imports - then it is not and cannot be sustainable tourism.
On the occasion of World Tourism Day, there is no better message than to start the path of sustainable tourism. Everything starts from ourselves, both as an individual and as a society, and everything starts with the first step forward or the first contact with a local manufacturer and producer.
The message on the occasion of the World Tourism Day was sent by the director of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ), Kristjan Staničić, which we are transcribing in its entirety.
"Dear tourism workers and travel enthusiasts, 27. September is celebrated all over the world World Tourism Day so I send you my sincere congratulations on this occasion. World Tourism Day this year is dedicated to the theme "Tourism and green investments" which once again confirmed how sustainability in tourism has become an important topic on a global level, especially when it comes to new investments and activities that destinations undertake in order to simultaneously successfully engage in tourism and at the same time preserve their resources and natural wealth.
Our country, which is recognized as an attractive, high-quality and popular tourist destination, is also on this path. The Croatian tourism sector also recognized that sustainability must be at the center of activities, and it was adopted at the national level Sustainable tourism development strategy until 2030, and there is also a new one Strategic marketing and operational plan of Croatian tourism until 2027, a document containing promotional guidelines, activities and the new development direction of Croatian tourism.
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) last year identified investments as one of the key priorities for the recovery and further growth and development of tourism, which is why the need for more and better targeted investments for people, the planet and prosperity was highlighted. So now is the right moment for new and innovative solutions.
Together, we must strive to further raise the ecological awareness of each individual, because the future of our planet depends on it. Numerous researches based on modern technology allow us to see more than ever before how and to what extent the actions of modern civilization affect the planet Earth. In the Croatian tourist community, we encourage all tourist entities and individuals to undertake targeted and coordinated activities in order to build a society that consciously cares for nature and the environment, because this is the only way we can do good for the future of Croatian tourism and, what is even more important, for the future of all of us and our children.
Also, I invite all citizens to World Tourism Day enjoy the numerous programs of the tourist boards, which from the coast to the continent have prepared interesting marking programs within which numerous tourist attractions will be available at lower prices or completely free of charge, from national parks and nature parks, adrenaline parks, museums, caves, protected areas, sightseeing destinations, and there are also numerous workshops, performances and much more.
And let's not forget, let's act today to have a better tomorrow. Let's take care of our nature because that's how we take care of ourselves. "
