With
one billion tourists traveling the world in a single year
in 2012, transforming these one billion tourists into one billion
opportunities is at the heart of the online campaign launched by
UNWTO to celebrate this historic milestone.
Recalling
the power of travel and tourism in driving economic
growth and sustainable development, the One
Billion Tourists: One Billion Opportunities campaign asks
the public to
vote for the travel tip they believe would have the greatest benefit
for the people and places they visit, from using public transport
to buying locally, and pledge to follow that tip when traveling.
“Imagine
the difference one tourist could make by adopting small changes, from
using their towels for more than one day, to hiring a local guide or
buying local products. Now imagine if these simpleactions were
multiplied by one billion; that is the power of one billion
tourists,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, launching the
campaign at the World
Travel Market
(WTM) in London.
“Every single person
who has traveled in 2012, whether on holiday or business, is part of
the one billion and can make a real difference,” continued Mr.
Rifai. “I hope everyone will join our campaign and help
us spread the
message that one billion tourists really do mean one billion
opportunities for economic growth, job creation
and the future of our planet.”
The
campaign will culminate on 13 December when the most popular tip will
be revealed and sent out to millions via social media. The date, 13
December, has been chosen as the symbolic arrival day of the
one-billionth tourist. While it is impossible to know exactly when
and where the one-billionth tourist will arrive,
UNWTO forecasts point
to December. The arrival of the one-billionth tourist will be
celebrated by the UNWTO Secretary-General in Spain, hometo
UNWTO headquarters.
UNWTO
is encouraging all countries and the entire tourism sector
to spread the word about the campaign by becoming official
campaign partners and hosting their
own celebrations on 13 December, raising awareness of the
important contribution of
one billion tourists.
Three
ways to get involved:
1.
Which tip will you commit to on your next trip? Vote
now!
2.
Help us share the winning tip with millions. Join
Thunderclap campaign!
3.
Were you one of the one billion tourists to travel internationally in
2012? Send a photo of yourself on your trip
to comm@unwto.org">
comm@unwto.orgor
by tweeting @UNWTO with #1billtourists and we’ll upload the best
ones in our Faces
of the One Billion Facebook album.
Don’t forget to include your name, where you’re from and where
the picture was taken.
