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IMD 2021 to focus on sustainable mountain tourism

16.02.2021

The theme of this year's International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December will be sustainable mountain tourism.

Sustainable tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and promoting poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation. It is a way to preserve the natural, cultural and spiritual heritage, to promote local crafts and high value products, and celebrate many traditional practices such as local festivals.

Mountain tourism attracts around 15 to 20 percent of global tourism. Tourism, however, is one of the sectors most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, affecting economies, livelihoods, public services and opportunities on all continents. In mountains, the restrictions of the pandemic have further compounded the vulnerabilities of mountain communities.

This crisis can be seen as an opportunity to rethink mountain tourism and its impact on natural resources and livelihoods, to manage it better, and to harness it towards a more resilient, green and inclusive future.

In the coming months, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat will prepare communication materials in all six UN languages. These will be made available on the official IMD website.

To mark IMD, we encourage organizing safe, socially distanced activities, including virtual presentations and events, photo and art competitions, and hikes. Please contact [email protected] with news of the celebrations you are planning.

Meanwhile, join the conversation on social media using the #MountainsMatter. Pass on some of the key messages or post stories of your favourite mountain moments and share these with us and your friends.

While sustainable mountain tourism is the suggested theme for 2021, countries, communities and organizations are welcome to celebrate IMD through a theme that is more relevant to them.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 11 December “International Mountain Day”. As of 2003, it has been observed every year to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.

Learn more about International Mountain Day

Photo by Rodica Avramescu

 

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