Transforming Tourism

UNWTO's global celebration turns to Malaysia's heritage hub, Melaka, to showcase tourism's role in driving transformation

- SRUSHTI KULKARNI

World Tourism Day, marked each year on September 27, is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a global reminder of the immense social, cultural, political and economic impact of tourism. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) inaugurated the occasion to honour the adoption of its statutes on September 27, 1970—a moment widely regarded as a turning point in international tourism.

For 2025, the theme—Tourism and Sustainable Transformation—casts the spotlight on the industry's ability to drive meaningful change. It underlines tourism's potential to foster sustainable practices, nurture equitable growth and uphold environmental responsibility. This year's official celebrations will unfold in Melaka, Malaysia. Now, rather than simply compiling destinations that echo the theme, we thought: why not immerse ourselves in the very city chosen as the stage for this year's commemorations?