World Tourism Day Message 2021
Joon Aun Ooi
President, Asia Pacific at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
World Tourism Day should be a time for celebration; an opportunity to recognise the people that make our industry such a wonderful place to work. For the second consecutive year, however, this important occasion falls amid one of the most challenging periods in the history of tourism, and the world as a whole.
The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. The travel industry is one of the world’s largest employers, supporting tens of millions of lives all around the globe. At Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, as one of the largest hotel companies, we are taking every possible step to support the industry in its recovery.
First and foremost, we believe that a global approach focused on our guests’ wellbeing is the long-term solution to COVID-19. As hoteliers, we play a critical role in the travel journey. It is essential that we continue to deliver exceptional guest experiences, while also ensuring that our guests feel safe and that they understand the local rules and requirements.
For many people, international travel is still a step into the unknown. We need to make it as simple and stress-free as possible. If our guests have a safe and seamless trip, they will be motivated to do it again. And better still, they will become advocates by sharing their positive experience that will potentially motivate others to travel.
To provide peace of mind to our guests, Wyndham has implemented extensive health and safety measures at our hotels and resorts. Under the “Count On Us” program, we have partnered with Ecolab, the experts in water, hygiene and infection prevention, to ensure the safety of our guests and associates, and launched an extensive series of protocols, including the use of EPA or locally approved disinfectants at our properties. This is part of our pledge to ensure health and safety continue to be the top priority.
As the global travel industry starts to reopen, we are committed to working with our partners in the public and private sectors in welcoming back our guests in a safe and sustainable way. The launch of the “Sandbox” initiatives has been a positive start for localised recoveries to occur and we hope that other destinations will follow their lead in the coming months – across Asia Pacific and all around the world.
Tourism is a recognized pillar of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These goals have never been more important. As the global pandemic continues to affect almost every part of the world, there is a real danger that many disadvantaged people will be left behind. The longer this continues, the greater the risk that it will cause economic hardship and plunge many families into poverty – and the people most at-risk are those who have the least.
The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. The travel industry is one of the world’s largest employers, supporting tens of millions of lives all around the globe. At Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, as one of the largest hotel companies, we are taking every possible step to support the industry in its recovery.
First and foremost, we believe that a global approach focused on our guests’ wellbeing is the long-term solution to COVID-19. As hoteliers, we play a critical role in the travel journey. It is essential that we continue to deliver exceptional guest experiences, while also ensuring that our guests feel safe and that they understand the local rules and requirements.
For many people, international travel is still a step into the unknown. We need to make it as simple and stress-free as possible. If our guests have a safe and seamless trip, they will be motivated to do it again. And better still, they will become advocates by sharing their positive experience that will potentially motivate others to travel.
To provide peace of mind to our guests, Wyndham has implemented extensive health and safety measures at our hotels and resorts. Under the “Count On Us” program, we have partnered with Ecolab, the experts in water, hygiene and infection prevention, to ensure the safety of our guests and associates, and launched an extensive series of protocols, including the use of EPA or locally approved disinfectants at our properties. This is part of our pledge to ensure health and safety continue to be the top priority.
As the global travel industry starts to reopen, we are committed to working with our partners in the public and private sectors in welcoming back our guests in a safe and sustainable way. The launch of the “Sandbox” initiatives has been a positive start for localised recoveries to occur and we hope that other destinations will follow their lead in the coming months – across Asia Pacific and all around the world.
Tourism is a recognized pillar of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These goals have never been more important. As the global pandemic continues to affect almost every part of the world, there is a real danger that many disadvantaged people will be left behind. The longer this continues, the greater the risk that it will cause economic hardship and plunge many families into poverty – and the people most at-risk are those who have the least.
As we mark World Tourism Day, let’s remember what a force for good our industry can be. Let us also use this opportunity to shine a brighter spotlight on the plight of many people in the travel industry, and provide support to local tourism providers during this critical time. Most importantly, let’s inspire and enable people to travel again!
As an industry, travel and tourism help to break down borders, encourages cultural exchanges, generates employment, and drives economic growth. We promote inclusive growth. COVID-19 is the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced, but by working together we can emerge stronger and create a brighter and more sustainable tourism industry for the benefit of all.
As an industry, travel and tourism help to break down borders, encourages cultural exchanges, generates employment, and drives economic growth. We promote inclusive growth. COVID-19 is the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced, but by working together we can emerge stronger and create a brighter and more sustainable tourism industry for the benefit of all.