Each year on September 27, we celebrate World Tourism Day, which was designated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to create "awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic value and the contribution that the sector can make towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals." 

The past few years have created a shift in the tourism industry, which continues to work towards recovery from the pandemic. The theme of World Tourism Day 2022, Rethinking Tourism, is about looking ahead and refocusing our work to ensure we are "putting people and planet first and bringing everyone from governments and businesses to local communities together around a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient sector."

The UNWTO is inviting tourism industry members and the general public to take part by:

 

World Tourism Day 2022


In honour of World Tourism Day, Tourism Kelowna will offer a one-day, 20% discount on Love For Kelowna and Kelowna Vibes merchandise (some exclusions apply). This discount will apply to in-store purchases at the Kelowna Visitor Centre and online purchases made through lovekforelowna.com on September 27. Those shopping online can use the promo code WorldTourismDay2022, which will be active until 11:59 p.m. PT.

The tourism industry is a major economic driver in Kelowna and Central Okanagan, with a total economic output of just over $2 billion before the pandemic—the industry generated close to 13,000 jobs, $204 million in tax revenues, and $443 million in direct visitor spending at local businesses. Visit our Value of Tourism page to learn more.