Celebrate #WorldTourismDay to Help #RestartTourism

World Tourism Day is observed every year on September 27 to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Statutes of the Organization in 1970, paving the way for the establishment of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.

Today, we celebrate #WorldTourismDay to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on, not only the economy but more importantly the quality of life of those who work in this sector. This year's celebration focuses on tourism for inclusive growth. As tourism restarts from the pandemic, it's important that everyone, especially marginalized groups, is given the opportunities and resources to unlock their best potential.?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact. Both developed and developing economies have been hit. And marginalized groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly.

Throughout the world, millions of jobs and businesses are dependent on a strong and thriving tourism sector. Restarting tourism in a big engine like California is very hard, the loss of live events and groups has cost millions of dollars of jobs with the trickle-down effects affecting not only the convention center and all of the hotels around it and all the banquet and meeting facilities, and the union employees that are at the convention centers in many of the hotels but it goes down to the Uber drivers, the local drug stores, the merchants that come into town.

The people that work in the hospitality industry are primarily first and second-generation immigrants, especially here in Orange County. I feel really privileged I've been with Wincome Hospitality for over 27 years. I am proud to say that our overseas owners embrace the American dream and California experience for our employees. I'm proud we've been able to always take those first and second-generation immigrant employees and have them work in hospitality or tourism and really start their lives so that they can improve their experience, their quality of life, and allow their children to watch it happen because they're the next generation. They're the generation that's going to be driving us forward and I love that.

My recommendation for people is to always be optimistic. We're resilient, and despite the past year, we have an incredible state with incredible weather with incredible attributes. Global tourism has never been more united than it is right now. Now is the best time to seek opportunities on how to #ElevateExperiences and #RestartTourism in a safe and responsible way to offer sustainability, innovation, and solidarity.