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A relatively new date on the world's cultural and social calendar,the United Nations World Tourism Organisation has been celebrating World Tourism Day.

What does the World Tourism Day stand for?

A relatively new date on the world’s cultural and social calendar,the United Nations World Tourism Organisation has been celebrating World Tourism Day every year on September 27 since 1980. Although,this date was chosen way in advance as on that day in 1970,when the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. The main aim of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social,cultural,political and economic values worldwide. It was at the Twelfth Session in Istanbul,Turkey,in October of 1997 that the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization’s partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing,China,in October of 2003,the Assembly decided a geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas and 2009 in Africa. It was at its third session (Torremolinos,Spain,September 1979),that the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) decided to institute,commencing in the year 1980.

Come September 27,and the World Tourism Day is celebrated with events on various themes selected by the General Assembly,on recommendation of UNWTO’s Executive Council. The timing of World Tourism Day is indeed particularly appropriate as it comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere,when tourism is of topical interest to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

In Chandigarh,the UT Administration has grand plans for World Tourism week,which is celebrated every year on September 27. On September 26,gear up for Indian Cyclothon Chandigarh 2010,sponsored by Hero Cycles and brought to Chandigarh by CNBC Sport 18 under the aegis of Cycling Federation of India. The event comprises multiple categories -Elite ride,Green ride and junior ride. The highlight of the event will be a 60 km National Elite Race that will see the nation’s top cyclists competing for prize money.

Chandigarhians can look forward to Indian classical and fusion music programmes,tourism walk,entertainment programmes,plays,painting competitions,sham-e-qawwali… The one-week celebrations will conclude on October 1 with a live performance by renowned singer Javed Ali. Besides this,a food festival will be organized in various hotel and restaurants during the World Tourism Week celebrations.

To make Sukhna Lake a happening place during the week long celebrations,other tourism activities such as tattoo painting,sketching,portrait making,statue portrayal etc will be done by the students of Chandigarh College of Arts . In addition,competitions like singing,dancing,rock band live performances and other cultural evenings will also be held at Sukhna Lake during the week long celebrations.

Prominent main tourist places like Sukhna Lake,Open Hand Monument and UT Secretariat will be illuminated as a part of celebrations. Special Food Festival will be arranged by CITCO at special discounts in CITCO hotels/outlets. CITCO will also arrange complimentary rides on its popular Hop on Hop Off tourist bus for the tourists. The city will be decked up in a singular theme with Shera mascot,lights,welcome banners etc.

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World Tourism Day