World Tourism Day, 27 September 2018

World Tourism Day, which is celebrated under the auspices of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is celebrated every year on 27 September. World Tourism Day is this year dedicated to the topic "Tourism and Digital Transformation", which aims to raise awareness of the importance of digital technologies in the development of tourism. This year's central celebration of World Tourism Day will be held in Budapest.

Progress in digital technology has deeply changed our era, our behavior, changed the way we live, as well as the times of vacations and holidays, which contributed to the progress of tourism in all its forms.

Research shows that about 50% of tourists make their decision to visit a specific tourist destination by browsing pictures and reading comments on the internet and by doing so they become well informed about the tourist offer of a particular destination. Digitalization significantly influences the way of travel planning, promotion and exploration of new destinations, but also the experience of traveling.

Introducing digital technologies into hotel business processes, the ability to inspect business and adapt to new conditions, as well as digital interaction with guests, will be crucial for achieving competitiveness and survival in an increasingly demanding international tourism market.

Therefore, the celebration of World Tourism Day invites us to think about the contribution of technological progress not only in order to improve tourism products and services, but also to make this progress part of sustainable and responsible tourism development that should guide the growth of the tourism sector.

Last year, the international tourism sector recorded a global growth by 7% a year and its continued growth is expected over the next decade. On the wings of this wave, there is also a chance to improve the digitization of tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should be taken, and which through new conditions should contribute to BiH's becoming a competitive, innovative but also interesting enough, attractive and authentic destination ready to welcome new generations of modern-day tourists.

World Tourism Day 2018 is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the potential contribution of digital technologies to the development of sustainable tourism, while providing a platform for investment, partnership and cooperation with the responsible and inclusive tourism sector.