27 September 2024 | Tbilisi, Georgia
Join the celebration! #WTD24
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
14:00 – 16:00
Old Tbilisi sightseeing tours (Departure from Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel)
20:00 – 22:00
Welcome Reception hosted by the First Vice Prime Minister of Georgia (Venue: Ceremonial Palace of Georgia)
Friday, 27 September
Venue: Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel
10:00
Welcome coffee
11:00 – 11:35
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks
- Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister, Georgia
- Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Saudi Arabia
- Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Uzbekistan
- Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism
11:35 – 11:50
Keynote Speech: "Journey to Harmony - Tourism as a Catalyst for Sustainable Peace and a Better Future"
- Harris Whitbeck, Minister of Tourism, Guatemala
11:50 – 13:15
High-Level Ministerial Dialogue – Building Bridges Through Tourism
Tourism is way more than an economic driver; it is a powerful tool for fostering international understanding, cultural exchange, and global peace. In a world increasingly divided by geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, and cultural misunderstandings, tourism offers a unique avenue for bridging gaps and building lasting connections. The session aims to bring together government leaders, and policymakers to discuss and strategize on how tourism can be leveraged to promote peace and unity.
- Moderator: Aradhana Khowala, CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners
Speakers:
- Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Georgia
- Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister, Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Uzbekistan
- Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Sierra Leone
- Fatema Jaafar, Alsairfafi, Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Bahrain
13:15 – 13:30
Keynote Address: Fostering Peace and Progress Through Tourism
- Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, Special Envoy for the Chad, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Minister of Regional Integration, Democratic Republic of the Congo
13:30– 15:00
Lunch
15:00 – 15:05
Official hand-over ceremony of the "Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Georgia" guideline
- Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism
- Levan Davitashvili, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
15:05 – 15:15
Presentation of the "Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Georgia" guideline
- Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN Tourism
15:15 – 15:25
Presentation: “Georgia Investment Opportunities”
- Mikheil Khidureli, CEO, Enterprise Georgia
15:25 – 16:00
Private Sector Insights: Tourism as a Driver of Global Peace
As international travel continues to grow, the private sector's role in promoting peaceful interactions, sustainable development, and economic stability becomes increasingly significant. This dialogue aims to explore the private sector's potential and responsibility and to leverage its strengths and capabilities to promote peace and stability through tourism.
Moderator: Natalia Bayona, Executive Director, UN Tourism
Speakers:
- Jerry Inzerillo, Group Chief Executive Officer, Diriyah Company, Saudi Arabia
- Mohamed Ali Janah, Group Chairman, Hotels & Resorts Investment Maldives (HARIM)
- Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
16:00– 16:15
Inspirational speech: Decoding the Future of Tourism Resilience
- Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Jamaica
16:15 – 16:45
Harnessing innovation, cultivating talent for peace
In today's interconnected world, the potential of tourism to contribute to global peace is immense. However, realizing this potential requires more than traditional approaches; it necessitates innovation, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit. Entrepreneurship in tourism is a key driver of innovation and economic development. By encouraging entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in emerging destinations and post-conflict areas, we can stimulate local economies and create opportunities for communities to thrive.
Moderator: Antonio Lopez de Avila, Director, Innovation, Education, and Investments, UN Tourism
Speakers:
- Ann Kalembe, Women in Hospitality, Uganda
- Ana Sofia Godoy Alonso, CEO, Étnica, Guatemala
- Li Yang, General Manager of International Affairs, Alibaba Group
16:45 – 17:15
Tourism for Peace Education Dialogue
Moderator: Cordula Wohlmuther, Regional Director, a.i. for Europe, UN Tourism
Speakers:
- Carolina Herrera, Peace Educator, Colombia
- André Mack, Managing Director a.i., EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland
17:15 – 17:30
World Tourism Day 2025 Handover Malaysia
- Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia
17:30
Closing Remarks
20:00
Gala dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Georgia (by invitation only)
12:30 - 18:00
Technical Visit and Social programme (Venue: Chateau Mukhrani)
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Message For World Tourism Day: "Tourism and Peace"
Tourism brings people together.
On this World Tourism Day, we reflect on the profound connection between tourism and peace.
Sustainable tourism can transform communities – creating jobs, fostering inclusion and strengthening local economies.
By valuing and preserving cultural and natural heritage, it can help reduce tensions and nurture peaceful coexistence.
Tourism can also promote economic interdependence between neighbours, encouraging cooperation and peaceful development.
Read moreAt the same time, tourism broadens horizons. Every traveller can be an ambassador, engaging respectfully with local populations, recognizing our diversity and shared humanity, and the values that unite us all.
As we celebrate tourism, let us travel responsibly, build bridges, and promote mutual respect among cultures and nations.
Together, we can harness the power of tourism to advance peace and prosperity for all.
World Committee on Tourism Ethics Statement on World Tourism Day 2024
The World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), an impartial body reporting directly to the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) General Assembly, met under interim chair and with a new composition.
Host Country - Georgia
