TOURISM AND CULTURAL PROTECTION! 2018 WORLD TOURISM DAY MOTTO

2018 WORLD TOURISM DAY celebration was decided to be September 27 and the official theme will be TOURISM AND CULTURAL PROTECTION! 

Celebrated worldwide since 1980, World Tourism Day at European Council on Tourism and Trade is commemorated usually at the end of September each year and hosted in the capital of the country crowned as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION OF THE YEAR.

This year, the Official Celebrations are held in Phnom Penh , the capital city of Kingdom of Cambodia, winner of World Best Tourism Destination designation and in Bucharest on October 4, 2017 under the Chairmanship of European Council on Tourism and Trade.

The main role of the World Tourism Day is to highlight the global significance of tourism as a tool for global development and cultural enlightenment.

 

Tourism is the greatest educator in the world, stated on the topic the European Council on Tourism and Trade President Dr. Anton Caragea.

 

This is one of the goals of the World Tourism Day celebrations that are being conducted throughout the world.

President of European Council on Tourism and Trade, H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea signs the ECTT- WORLD TOURISM DAY 2018 logo and document: TOURISM AND CULTURAL PROTECTION! 

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More to read on the topic:

♦TOURISM IS THE GREATEST EDUCATOR IN THE WORLD

♦AMBASSADORS FOR TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS PROGRAMME CONTINUES DECIDES PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY FOR SDG-2030

♦ACADEMICIAN SAMDECH HUN SEN, PRIME MINISTER OF KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA, OPENING DECLARATION FOR WORLD TOURISM AWARDS 2016

♦PRIME MINISTER ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN: EUROPE AND KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA HANDS IN HANDS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

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The Official Celebrations taking place in Phnom Penh, and marked as usually also at World Tourism Institute of European Council on Tourism and Trade center and garnering world tourism leaders, industry entrepreneurs and researchers, Global Ambassadors for Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals  among other key actors in the sector.

 

The event was opened by the President of European Council on Tourism and Trade, H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, who emphasized the cultural and heritage booster and promoter role of Tourism and the links of the sector with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals as well as the carry torch role of the Global Ambassadors for Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals in the global economic diversification and socially oriented growth.

 

On this occasion H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea - ECTT President announced that: Global Ambassadors for Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals project will continue unabated until 2030, the year marked by United Nations for the completion of the 17 Goals at world level.

 

In conjunction with European Tourism Academy, European Council on Tourism and Trade announced that 2018 World Tourism Day theme will be: TOURISM AS A CULTURAL PROTECTOR, emphasizing tourism  role in promoting awareness for cultural and heritage patrimony , in boosting the resources allocated for their maintenance and preservation and in educating future generations on their role as guardian`s and custodians of these world treasures.

Academician Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia-Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo.

 

 

In the Kingdom of Cambodia, the official host of World Tourism Day for European Council on Tourism and Trade celebration, the premier’s message on World Tourism Day,  Academician Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia said the tourism sector continues to contribute to Cambodia’s economy.

“In recognition of the contribution tourism has made, the government through the Tourism Ministry will continue to develop the tourism market, develop tourism products, and further promote new areas like youth tourism, urban tourism and shopping tourism,” said Mr Hun Sen.

 

“Currently, the tourism sector is the third biggest export industry in the world after the chemical and oil industries,” he added. “Tourism brings hope, prosperity and fosters people-to-people relations in the world.”

 

This year’s theme for World Tourism Day was “Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development”.

 

“Tourism can contribute to all the three crucial areas of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – and each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” said Academician Hun Sen.

 

“Not only does the sector contribute to economic growth, it also improves the quality of people’s lives. It can bolster environmental protection, champion diverse cultural heritage, and strengthen peace in the world,” added the premier.

 

Next year date for WORLD TOURISM DAY celebration was decided to be September 27 2018 and the official theme will be TOURISM AND CULTURAL PROTECTION! 

WORLD TOURISM INSTITUTE EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE HOSTS KHMER NEW YEAR 2017 PRESENTATION

World Tourism Institute – European Council on Tourism and Trade in cooperation with European Tourism Academy had festively marked KHMER NEW YEAR presenting for the first time to the European and world audience  the main significance and festivals surrounding this perfect celebration and display of traditions of Cambodia.

The famous APSARA dances where watched with interest and pleasure.

Cambodia has achieved a perfect world level notoriety as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2016 and has since enjoyed  a remarkable growth in tourism with more than 1,5 million supplementary tourists registered in 2016 alone and with a whooping total of more than 6 million tourists towering over regional competitors.

From this moment, the request for new information`s regarding the small but rich in beautiful architectural and historic treasures  country had exploded.

In order to come to respond to this desire to know more about incredible Cambodia: WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2016, the world tourism institute of European Council on Tourism and Trade with the support of European Tourism Academy had outlined the rich dances and traditions connected with Khmer New Year celebrations.

 Did you know that Cambodia dances are part of world intangible heritage?

On the  paraphernalia presented by European Tourism Academy   where highlighted the dances of Royal Ballet, organized and patronized by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, especially the APSARA dances , the harvest dances where also marked  and the music and ballet connected with the traditional Romdoul National flower, at honor in many dances and melodies across Cambodia.

The guests also where informed about  ceremonies like Leung Sakk: the day the year really starts. In the evening, to complete the New Year festival, the Khmer need to perform the last ceremony, called “Pithi Srang Preah”, which means giving a special bath or a special shower to Buddha statues, the monks, elders, parents, and grandparents to apologize for any mistake we have done to them and to gratify them.

President of European Council on Tourism and Trade Dr. Anton Caragea, outlined a short historic and cultural presentation of the Khmer New Year festival as originated from Bramhmanism, a part of Hinduism, which was a religion that Khmer embraced before Buddhism.

Romdoul National flower is at the center of dances and melodies in the Khmer kingdom.

Later on Buddhism became associated with the festival and then took all the important roles in the festivity.

The guests of CAMBODIA KHMER NEW YEAR festivities received also a promotional pack: comprising a DVD with special dances and music ceremonies for CAMBODIA WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2016, a special rice bag and the world renowned Cambodian pepper.

The full photo report of the  2017 CAMBODIAN KHMER NEW YEAR celebration can be accessed on FLICKR

PINTEREST had also created a special file accessible here:

CAMBODIA BECOMES NO.1 TOURIST DESTINATION IN ASIA

According to World Bank, The Kingdom of Cambodia will enjoy a robust economic growth in 2016 of more than 7%, thanks in no small part to the recent growth in tourism sector.

Prime Minister of Cambodia-Academician Samdech HUN SEN had opted for a development based on tourism growth and obtained an incredible success as the Kingdom was elected as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 and obtained a 6,9% growth according to World Bank. 

The arrivals in the Kingdom are at a historic high in 2016.

In 2015 the numbers of tourists and investment has slow down, but in 2016 as the country was elected WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and H.E. Prime Minister of Cambodia – Samdech HUN SEN declared tourism as a priority, the situation has significantly turn around of staggering 26% increase in the numbers of tourism entering the country.

Radical tourism growth after the Kingdom of Cambodia was officialy recognised as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016

Phnom Penh arrivals, after the country was elected as FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION, grow by 7% and Siem Reap arrivals where up by 11% after the previous month.

The challenges ahead are still there as the country needs to attract more airlines for direct flights in order to transform Cambodia from a seasonal destination to an all year/ all seasons destination.

Luu Meng, president of the Cambodian Hotel Association, said despite the importance of the Chinese market—which airlines have been increasingly tapping into—Cambodia also needs to focus on securing direct flights from other countries as well as promoting destinations outside Angkor Wat.

Cambodian tourism sector perfect development on 2016, has become a World Model on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

A model to be analysed and copied by countries around the world in order to obtain a health tourism industry and a to foster the national development via tourism and international cooperation.

No country in the world had ever registered a growth equally to that of Kingdom of Cambodia, with 26% increase in arrivals numbers in just two months after becoming WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.

If the Kingdom will succeed in keeping the momentum in the next months the tourism sector in the country can be a perfect world success story and example.

Let`s all wish to Cambodia a perfect ending for 2016!