World Tourism Day 27 September

World Tourism Day 27 September was established by the United nations. it is on Sept 27 every year because that is the end of the holiday season in the northern hemisphere and the start of the season in the southern hemisphere.

So who benefits most? The southern hemisphere (spellcheck turns that into mis fire) with the holiday season ahead, or the north with the season over and therefore the need for a tourism  boost?

What happened to world tourism day? I was alerted to it by Vilnius, Lithuania, which emailed me a press release.

Full marks to their tourist board.

I marked the date in my calendar. I planned and scheduled a blog. But then the world went quiet. What a missed opportunity.

Slogan:
One billion tourists; one billion opportunities.

http://www.un.org/en/events/tourismday/

World tourism day was eclipsed by the eclipse of the moon.

However, after the event I learned that tourists got in to see the Taj Mahal in India for free.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/On-World-Tourism-Day-30000-tourists-to-see-Taj-for-free/articleshow/49121352.cms

Vilnius was famous for the Vilna Gaon or genius. Now tourists can enjoy self-guided tours listening to the city's 'talking statues'.

Vilnius Tourism and Convention Bureau
Vilnius g. 22
LT-0119
Vilnius
tel: +370 5 262 9660
www.vilnius-tourism.lt/en
www.vilnius-events.lt
You need the word en on the end to get the site in English.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.