“Digital technologies have brought a positive momentum to societies and economies around the world. They’ve connected us on a global level, helped to empower the most vulnerable and become our crucial allies for sustainable development,” he said in a message marking the World Tourism Day that falls on September 27.
The theme of the day is ‘Tourism and the digital transformation’.
The UN chief said the wide reach of tourism into many sectors, from infrastructure and energy to transport and sanitation, and its huge impact on job creation, make it a vital contributor to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“At the same time, tourism plays a pivotal role in advancing cultural understanding and bringing people together,” he said.
Yet tourism, Guterres said, needs innovation in technology to realise its potential contributions.
“Its benefits need to flow to host communities. Governments can help connect startups with investors to facilitate innovation, entrepreneurship, employment and a truly inclusive tourism sector,” he added.
The UN chief said, “Our challenge is to continue harnessing this power for good while safeguarding against the risks.”