President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Wednesday, September 27, as “World Tourism Day” to be observed throughout the country as a “Working Holiday”.

Member States of the United Nations declared September 27 of each year as World Tourism Day to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.

The United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) decided in late September 1979 to institute World Tourism Day, which was first celebrated on September 27, 1980. September 27 was chosen as the date for World Tourism Day because that date also coincided with an important milestone in world tourism: the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on September 27, 1970.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s celebration is being held under the theme: “Sustainable Tourism - A Tool for Development.” Official activities of this year’s celebration in Liberia takes place in Ganta City, Nimba County's commercial capital.

President Sirleaf hopes that all Liberians will celebrate the value of tourism for all, promoting universal accessibility, and work together in making tourism a great market potential and great business opportunity.

The proclamation states that accessibility for all should be at the heart and center of tourism policies and business strategies and also, a great market potential and great business opportunity.

“Liberia is looking forward to work with the UNWTO, international and regional organizations and all other stakeholders to make this opportunity a success for all,” the proclamation stressed.

Fifteen percent of the world’s population is estimated to live with some kind of disability or another who may be unable to experience the thrill of embarking on a journey to explore new sights and new places.

“Africa received a total of 53 million international tourists, five percent of the world’s total. In 2016, 1,184 million international tourists traveled the world, which represent 50 million more than in 2015,” the proclamation states; adding, “Today there are around 1.2 billion people traveling the world. Traveling has become a huge part of many people’s lives, while in 1950 there were nearly 25 million international tourists crossing in a single year,” the proclamation indicated.

Despite many challenges, including increasing safety and security concerns, internationally tourism continues to grow at the global level.

Tourism has experienced continued growth and deeper diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. ‎Modern tourism is closely linked to development and includes more new destinations for tourists. These dynamics turned tourism into a key driver for socio-‎economic progress. Tourism has become one of the major players in ‎international commerce, and represents at the same time one of the main income ‎sources for many developing countries.