Inclusive growth is the theme for World Tourism Day 2021, celebrated this Monday, September 27. It is known that the sector was one of the hardest hit by the impacts of Covid-19. 

For the United Nations, the revival of tourism will help global recovery and growth. The UN Secretary-General takes advantage of the date to recognize the power of the activity for sustainable and inclusive development.  

According to António Guterres, between January and May this year, international tourist arrivals fell by 95% in various parts of the world. 

Guterres says that according to projections, the sector will generate losses of more than $4 trillion to global GDP by the end of the year.

UN chief says it is a "huge shock to developed economies" and "an emergency for developing nations" 

Climate change is another factor that impacts tourism in a negative way, especially in the case of developing islands. António Guterres recalls that tourism represents about 30% of the economic activity in these countries. 

It is because of this that Guterres argues that it is time to "rethink, transform, and safely start over" tourism. The UN chief says tourism creates jobs and helps build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

Guterres suggests more investment in green tourism, especially when shipping and air transport are among the sectors that emit the most polluting gases. 

The secretary-general says a change that leads to carbon neutrality is essential.  

Around him, the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, WTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, in his message pointed out that "the human desire to travel and explore is universal, and so tourism needs to be open for everyone to enjoy." Zurab Pololikashvili says that the growth of the sector generates benefits at all levels, from the largest airline to the smallest of small businesses.