Established by the UN in 2023 through a Jamaican-led initiative to strengthen the global tourism sector's resilience to crises and economic shocks.
Date17 February
TopicEconomy & Labor
Established2023
Ways to observe this day
Support small local tourism businesses on your next trip
Learn about your country's efforts to diversify tourism-related income
Plan a trip that supports sustainable tourism and local communities
Discuss with your family why the tourism sector matters to your country's economy
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day, through an initiative led by Jamaica and backed by more than 90 countries, formally observed for the first time in 2023, building on an initial event held under the same name in 2022 before full UN adoption.
The idea emerged from the severe damage the COVID-19 pandemic inflicted on the global tourism sector, which supports millions of jobs and serves as a primary income source for many developing and small island nations. The day aims to strengthen this vital sector's ability to withstand crises, whether health pandemics, natural disasters, or economic shocks.
The day features conferences and dialogues bringing together tourism policymakers and private-sector representatives to discuss strategies for diversifying tourism-dependent economies, building more resilient infrastructure, and supporting workers and local communities whose livelihoods depend on the sector.