Gran Canaria (Image: fotocommunity.de)
Spain will be the center of global tourism this year as it hosts the 2012 official World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria (27 September 2012). “Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development” is the event theme this year and it will highlight the need to bring the tourism sector and energy stakeholders closer together to spur tourism’s contribution to sustainability.
According to UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, “Tourism is at the forefront of many of the latest and most innovative sustainable energy initiatives”. He also added that “One only has to think of the investments being poured into renewable energy sources for aviation, or the energy technology solutions implemented in hotels around the world, to know that sustainable energy is a major priority for the sector.”
The World Tourism Day 2012 message is not only to help protect the environment but also to create economic opportunities and jobs whether in tourism, energy or other sectors.
Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Borrego said, “Spain is among the top five countries investing in renewable energies worldwide and 20% of the energy consumed in Spain comes from renewable sources”.
The government is convinced that the World Tourism Day 2012 will attract interest and participation from high caliber participants and will promote general awareness regarding World Tourism Day.
