World Tourism Day to Highlight Tourism’s Role in Ghana’s Development

The annual celebration, established under UN Tourism, seeks to raise awareness of the contribution of tourism to livelihoods, cultural exchange, international understanding and sustainable development.

This year’s theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” focuses on the growing role of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the tourism industry.

The theme highlights how emerging technologies can make travel easier, smarter and more convenient, while also improving tourism services and creating new opportunities for individuals and businesses within the sector.

The official global celebration is scheduled to take place in El Salvador from September 26 to 27, 2026, under the auspices of UN Tourism.

UN Tourism has 160 member states, with Ghana among the countries participating in the organisation. Ghana previously hosted the global World Tourism Day celebration in 2019.

In Ghana, the annual celebration provides an opportunity to promote the country’s rich tourism, cultural and historical assets, including attractions such as Cape Coast Castle, Kakum National Park and Mole National Park, as well as the numerous cultural festivals held across the country.

The celebration is expected to encourage both domestic and international tourists to explore these attractions, supporting businesses within the tourism value chain and creating employment opportunities for communities.

This year’s World Tourism Day celebrations in Ghana will be held in the Eastern Region as part of the Eastern Regional Expo.

The event is expected to bring together stakeholders from the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors to deliberate on the year’s theme, examine developments within the industry and discuss the way forward for the sector.

Beyond tourism promotion, the celebration also serves as a platform for encouraging the preservation of Ghana’s cultural traditions and historical landmarks.

Through festivals, exhibitions and educational activities, communities are encouraged to protect their cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations.

Globally, World Tourism Day provides an opportunity for people from different countries and cultural backgrounds to interact and learn from one another.

Tourism facilitates cultural exchange and can contribute to friendship, peace and greater understanding among nations. The annual observance also draws attention to the need for responsible tourism practices that protect the environment and support sustainable development.

For Ghana, the celebration presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism potential while highlighting the contribution of the sector to economic activity, cultural preservation and community development.

As the industry increasingly embraces digital transformation, this year’s focus on artificial intelligence is expected to place greater attention on how technology can reshape the way destinations are promoted, tourists access information and tourism services are delivered.

World Tourism Day, therefore, remains an important global occasion for reflecting on the role of tourism in connecting people, preserving heritage and supporting sustainable development.

By: Worklatsi John Edem
Intern, Corporate Affairs Department, Ghana Tourism Authority