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World Tourism Day Quotes | Instagram Captions | Messages

Are you looking for World Tourism Day Quotes? Then these quotes on Travel & Tourism are sure to interest you. Click to find inspiring Travel quotes.

Travel and tourism have always played a major role in breaking down boundaries, whether physical or cultural that divide the world. World Tourism Day is celebrated under the aegis of the United Nations World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ) throughout the world to raise awareness of the crucial role that tourism has been playing and has to play in the future. Here are some World Tourism Day quotes that are sure to inspire you and to think about the wide canvas that travel and tourism impact.

Table of Contents

World Tourism Day Quotes | Captions for Instagram | Wishes for Facebook & WhatsApp | Greetings & Messages

World Tourism Day has been celebrated sine 1980 on the 27th of September every year. This is an initiative of the United Nations spearheaded by its specialized agency, the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization). Every year there is a different theme on which the event is celebrated. The theme for 2020 is, “Tourism and Rural Development”.

World Tourism Day

The 27th of September is celebrated as World Tourism Day every year.

History of World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day has been celebrated since 1980. September 27th was designated as the World Tourism Day as it was on the same day in 197o that the different statutes of UNWTO were ratified. Since then every year one member country is the host country which partners with UNWTO to celebrate the day. In 2019 India was the designated host country and the theme was, “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all”.

Importance of World Tourism Day

The United Nations World Tourism Organization brings the global community of the travel and tourism domain together on a common platform. World Tourism Day is significant as it is an opportunity for the global tourism industry to raise awareness about trends and also sustainable travel globally and also highlight the challenges as well as opportunities faced by the industry.

Purpose of Celebrating World Tourism Day

The aim of World Tourism Day is manifold and includes raising awareness about the role of tourism in the international community. It also aims to show how tourism impacts economic, cultural, social, and economic values globally.

World Tourism Day Quotes | Captions for Instagram | World Tourism Day Wishes for Facebook and Whatsapp Messages

Are you looking for inspiring World Tourism Day quotes? Whether you want to use them for your blog or as Instagram Captions for World Tourism Day, they should fit the bill. So go, ahead and check out these Captions for Instagram on World Tourism Day. These could also come in handy for World Tourism Day Wishes for Facebook and Whatsapp Messages.

Travel, in many ways, is life itself. If you have not travelled, you have not lived. The more you travel, the more alive you are.

What is life without a streak of adventure? Travel adds the spice of adventure to life.

Travel is always driven by curiosity and then fueled by the passion to travel more.

If on one hand travel appeals to the visual senses, it also opens up the inner eye of the mind.

The wonders of the world fill you with wonder and the wonder transforms into words that give expression to the wonders of the world.

To travel is to fly on the wings of imagination and enter the realms of fairy tales.

Dreams transform into reality with travel and then crystalize into memories for a lifetime.

Travel is not just about seeing new places, but it is also about meeting new people.

Travel is all about losing oneself, losing oneself in nature, history, culture, and the sheer joy of traveling.

Friendships are bound by the glue of travel, lifelong relationships are forged and nurtured by travel.

Most of the time the joy of the journey is as good if not more than the destination.

The road may be tough and fraught with challenges, but it will never be dull.

As responsible travellers leave just footprints and bring back memories.

There are some things that money cannot buy, and among these are the pleasant memories of life.

The World is an endless story and only travel can tell the full story.

Solo travel is enjoyable but traveling with a loved one is a notch higher.

Life itself is one long adventure and travel is life.

A life without travel is like food without salt.

Dreams drive imagination and all the creative works of the world are first visualized as dreams.

Travel is all about losing oneself and rediscovering one’s true nature.

For those who are passionate about it, travel is life and life is travel.

Travel is the greatest teacher and teaches lessons of a lifetime.

For those who ask why do you travel? The answer is because travel is life.

The wonders of the world weave their irresistible magic.

Travel is one long experience of the wonders of life.

Do not waste your time and life, go chase your dreams, they are waiting to be realized.

Taking the road that is less travelled guarantees unforgettable experiences.

Travel is meditation, travel is enlightenment, and travel is fulfilment.

Travel is the greatest relaxation that one can get.

Exciting and unique experiences await at every bend in the road, you just need to lose yourself.

The World is a beauty and a joy forever.

Education expands the mind and travel is the best educator.

The world is full of magic, you just need the wand of travel to bring it alive.

The world is beautiful and no camera can capture its awesome beauty.

You cry you smile, you jump, you kneel down and pray, that is what travel does to you.

Many lifetimes are not enough to see the world.

The only way to live life is to live every moment to its fullest.

Just like life, travel has its share of surprises.

Travel takes you on a journey into the past, present, and future.

The journey packs in as much magic as the destination itself.

Travel is destructive. It destroys your ego, as you see your infinitesimal self in the scheme of things of the world.

For those who love travel, the very act of travel is an exhilarating experience.

Some of the best experiences await the traveller on journeys that are unplanned.

Life is too short, enrich it with the experiences of travel.

Travel creates memories to be treasured for a lifetime.

As long as the mind is free, you can always travel on the wings of imagination.

Journeys are experiences with the power to catalyze transformation.

The best education that a child can have is travel.

There is nothing more exciting than waking up in a new place.

All it takes is just one step, and the whole world rushes to welcome you.

We are sure that these World Tourism Day Instagram Captions, will set you thinking and yearning to travel again.

Happy World Tourism Day Wishes

• Let the World grow stronger and the borders shrink, let the world become closer, wishing you a Happy World Tourism Day
• Wishing for the skies to be filled with planes, the world to be crisscrossed with trains, and the echo of tourist footfalls across the world, wishing you a Happy Tourism Day
• The World is your oyster, go ahead and explore every corner, Happy World Tourism Day
• The mysteries of the World are endless, unravel one mystery at a time, Happy World Tourism Day
• The stories stretch out endlessly, read one page at a time, Happy World Tourism Day

Happy World Tourism Day Messages, Slogans in English

• Travel is like a mother, it nurtures and nourishes the mind and the soul
• Travel to discover the world outside and also the world within you
• Travel with tolerance, accepting everything, rejecting nothing, learning all the time
• The more you travel, the more you realize, how little you know about the world

We hope you liked our collection of Tourism quotes on Travel and Tourism and find them inspiring and useful. Please do subscribe to our blog for more inspiring stories from our travels.

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8 thoughts on “world tourism day quotes | instagram captions | messages”.

Sorry I did not knew about tourism day, I came to know through your post. Indeed travelling is a great experience one can learn

Great pictures and quotes. I specially like the one saying crystallisation into memories. Indeed travel opens the door to realise our dreams to be able to dream more.

Those were some very nice quotes on travel. I love travelling to and can relate with it

There is always a feel good factor in your blog. Good to see such quotes and inspiring travelling quotes. Was unaware about tourism day. Happy Tourism day to you too 🙂

You have plucked very succulent travel quotes for world tourism day. Very well curated post and informative at that. These quotes evoke wanderlust

I was not aware of World Tourism Day. These quotes sound so inspirational and can bring out the traveller from any individual.

Wow that’s amazing quoted on world tourism day. Pinned this post for future reference

Wow…all the quotes and pictures are so good. I am really missing travel these days, thanks for giving me a virtual tour through your pictures.

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• UN Observances

Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity

The overall disruption in the tourism sector brought about by COVID-19, provides an opportunity to redefine and recalibrate the direction and narratives of tourism investments for a more sustainable future for the People, the Planet, and prosperity.  

This  World Tourism Day 2023 , the  UNWTO ,  under the theme “Tourism and green investment” highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for the  Sustainable Development Goals , the UN roadmap for a better world by 2030. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.

Visit the World Tourism Organization’s website

The UN World Tourism Organization has prepared a website and digital materials for social networks. Let’s all contribute to promote tourism investments focused on achieving a better world for the benefit of all.

How tourism should invest to contribute to the SDGs

The possibilities of strategic investment for this triple dimension are immense:

For the People by investing in education and skills

Looking ahead, the global tourism workforce will require millions of hospitality graduates annually between now and 2030 and a further 800,000 jobs a year will require specific vocational training. For these reasons, we need to invest in people, as they are the foundation of tourism so that all those who wish to be part of the sector have the same opportunities to access quality tourism training, anywhere in the world.

For the Planet by investing in sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation

Looking into the future, the need to reduce emissions provides an investment opportunity of $24.7 trillion in the green buildings sector of emerging market cities by 2030, in which hotels, resorts, and restaurants account for $1.5 trillion. In addition, tourism faces a lot more investment opportunities related to new solutions and technologies to decarbonize the sector as well as to ensure climate-resilient infrastructure through adaptation solutions.

For Prosperity by investing in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship

Digitalization and innovation programs are a strategic priority to support particularly young people and women, which are critical to upskill the tourism sector’s workforce. Moreover, the global need to increase investments in programs that support and incentivize entrepreneurship and generate opportunities for innovations is highly need it in the tourism sector.

In order to succeed, let’s make this World Tourism Day a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners, and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy .

What is the Glasgow Declaration?

The Glasgow Declaration is a compromise to accelerate climate action in tourism and to secure strong commitments to support the global goals to halve emissions over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050. Over 450 organizations have become signatories of this declaration.

Did you know?

• Tourism employs one in every ten people on Earth.
• Tourism in rural areas can particularly benefit traditionally disadvantaged groups such as women - who make up 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector compared to 39% for the whole economy - youth and Indigenous people.
• In emerging destinations, 50% of young people are unable to work in tourism due to a lack of opportunity, resources, or access to academic training.

Campaign materials

Follow our event live!

The UN World Tourism Organization wants you to join the celebration online ( 27-28 September). You can follow its two-day event through its website or its YouTube channel .  

An indigenous entrepreneur in tune with Mother Earth

After successfully reclaiming her people’s territory in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northern Argentina, Celestina Ábalos turned to tourism to share and promote her indigenous culture. ILO entrepreneurship training during the COVID-19 pandemic helped her business to grow.

World Tourism Organization

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a leading UN international agency in the field of tourism. Its mission is to promote tourism as a driver of  economic growth, inclusive development  and  environmental sustainability  and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. Discover how they are working to cope with this pandemic along with the tourism sector and other UN agencies. 

Why do we mark International Days?

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances .

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Explore World Tourism Day 2022: Rethinking tourism

• September 24, 2022

Your summer vacation may be fading into a fond sun-kissed memory – perhaps you’re already dreaming of your next staycation or trip abroad – but did you know how important your holiday is to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions around the world who work in tourism and travel? Today is all about just that, so jump aboard and explore World Tourism Day 2022 with us! Destination: Bali, Indonesia, which will host the 42 nd iteration of the celebration. Bali is this year’s hotspot because it’s at the forefront of a global drive to reimagine tourism as a key sector for sustainable development. Run by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a specialised United Nations agency, this year’s theme for World Tourism Day 2022 is ‘Rethinking Tourism’.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, communities that relied on tourism for their income were hit particularly hard. Over 60 million jobs were lost worldwide and massive falls in tourist revenue were reported due to international lockdowns and travel restrictions. However, now the sector is bouncing back; but what’s more important than ever is that the travel and tourism sector should follow a sustainable trajectory, positively impacting local economies and social development, while not harming people or their environment. We delve into the ugly underbelly of air pollution caused by tourism in Rhodes city and how much food actually goes to waste on cruise ships . We also revisit a familiar issue, the often fraught relationship between poverty and tourism . We’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can make tourism a sustainable and economic boon for us all. Write us a postcard – or simply leave your comments below.

Traffic, tourism, and climate: Air quality in Rhodes city

Atmospheric pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels is driving climate change and lowering air quality around the world. In Greece, tourism, traffic emissions, forest fires, and prevailing climate conditions are having a particularly marked effect. Dr Ioannis Logothetis and his colleagues Christina Antonopolou, Georgios Zisopoulos, Dr Adamantios Mitsotakis, and Dr Panagiotis Grammelis from the Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH) have studied the concentrations of particulate matter in Rhodes city, to understand how weather patterns, human pollution, and wildfires combine to affect the town.

Quantifying food waste on cruise ships: Experiences from China

With rapid economic development and an increase in consumerism, the number of Chinese cruise tourists has risen sharply. Food is central to cruise tourism; however, food waste can be as high as 30%. At Hainan University, Dr Jiayu Wang is attempting to shine a light on food wastage in the cruise industry. The data show that food waste by Chinese passengers is high, and is strongly linked to cultural and social norms. Addressing this issue will require changes to food practices, including a move away from all-inclusive and buffet-style dining, and the provision of more authentic Chinese food.

Could tourism be a channel to alleviate poverty?

Poverty is a major barrier to development. It is widely accepted that the world’s poor lack the resources and capabilities necessary to begin the journey towards improved human wellbeing. Tourism has long been considered an effective vehicle for wider economic growth and development and therefore a potential means of poverty reduction. Drs Robertico Croes and Manuel Rivera, from the University of Central Florida, focus their research on exploring the relationship between tourism and poverty. Despite increasing evidence of the potential for tourism as a tool to alleviate poverty, this idea is not without criticism.

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‘Time to rethink, transform, and safely restart tourism’, says UN chief  

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Tourism “touches almost every part of our economies and societies”, enabling the historically marginalized, and “those at risk of being left behind, to benefit from development”,  declared  UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday, marking  World Tourism Day .  

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism could result in a more than $4 trillion loss to the global economy, according to a  recent report  from the UN Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD ). 

🎉Happy #WorldTourismDay🎉#WTD2021 celebrates EVERYONE in the tourism value chain.Because full recovery can only happen when we are all on board!🥳Join us live! 10.00 (GMT) 🔴💻 https://t.co/RK9VYCzgUj pic.twitter.com/UiomTYGFhY World Tourism Organization UNWTO

Emergency for developing countries 

Highlighting the fact that in the first months of this year, “international tourist arrivals decreased by a staggering 95 per cent in parts of the world”, Mr. Guterres said that tourism continues to suffer enormously due to the COVID-19 pandemic .  

“This is a major shock for developed economies, but for developing countries, it is an emergency”, he added.  

“Climate change is also severely affecting many major tourist destinations, particularly Small Island Developing States”, his message added. There, tourism accounts for nearly 30 per cent of all economic activity.  

Tourism for inclusive growth 

Acknowledging that many millions of livelihoods are in jeopardy, Mr. Guterres said that now it is “ time to rethink, transform, and safely restart tourism ”. 

“With the right safeguards in place, the tourism sector can provide decent jobs, helping to build resilient, sustainable, gender-equal, inclusive economies and societies that work for everyone”, he added. 

According to the United Nations specialized agency for responsible and sustainable tourism ( UNWTO ), tourism is a recognized pillar of most the  Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) , particularly Goals 1 (poverty-elimination), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 10 (to reduce inequalities). 

In his message, Mr. Guterres went on to call for targeted action and investment,  towards green and sustainable tourism , “with high emitting sectors, including air and sea transport and hospitality, moving towards carbon neutrality”.  

Adding that everybody should have a say in how tourism shapes the future of our societies, the UN chief concluded that “only through inclusive decision-making can we ensure inclusive, sustainable growth, deliver on the promise of the SDGs, and transform tourism to fulfil its potential”. 

The sector could then become “an engine for prosperity, a vehicle for integration, a means to protect our planet and biodiversity, and an agent of cultural understanding between peoples ”, said Mr. Guterres. 

• World Tourism Day
• sustainable development goals
• climate change

•  Guest Posts

24 Fun Ways to Celebrate World Tourism Day in the Office in 2023

24 World Tourism Day celebration ideas at the workplace for a cultural adventure. Expand the office boundaries and explore the world from the desk.

Table of Contents

Imagine taking a whirlwind trip around the world without leaving the comfort of your office! Sounds exciting, doesn't it?

Well, that's exactly what we have in store for you as we gear up to celebrate World Tourism Day right here at work. It's a day dedicated to the love of travel, exploration, and the diverse cultures that make our world so fascinating.

Explore these 24 fantastic ideas on how to make the most of World Tourism Day in the office. Whether you're an enthusiastic globetrotter or simply someone looking for a fresh twist on your workplace celebrations, you're in for a treat.

From culinary adventures to virtual expeditions, we've got something for everyone.

So, fasten your seatbelts, and let's embark on this journey of creativity and camaraderie as we celebrate the spirit of wanderlust within the confines of our workspace.

When is World Tourism Day celebrated and why?

World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27th every year. The day was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to raise awareness about the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political, and economic values worldwide.

• Awareness: Established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, this day serves to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on societies worldwide.
• Economic Impact: Tourism is one of the major revenue sources for many countries. It helps stimulate economic growth, provides employment opportunities, and drives the development of infrastructure.
• Cultural Exchange: Tourism promotes the exchange of cultures. It allows people from various parts of the world to understand, appreciate, and learn from diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life. This can foster global understanding and peace.
• Education and Enlightenment: Travel broadens the mind. Through tourism, people get firsthand experiences of places, histories, and traditions, which can be a form of education outside the conventional classroom environment.
• Sustainable Development: In recent years, the concept of sustainable tourism, which respects both local communities and the traveler, cultural heritage, and the environment, has come to the forefront. World Tourism Day often emphasizes the significance of sustainable tourism and its role in ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach every corner of the world.

Each year, a theme is chosen for World Tourism Day that reflects the current issues, challenges, and trends in the tourism industry. This theme guides discussions, events, and celebrations related to the day.

12 World Tourism Day celebration ideas in the office

Here are 12 World Tourism Day celebration ideas in the office:

1. International food day

This celebration is all about bringing the flavors of the world into your workplace. Encourage your colleagues to prepare and share dishes from different countries or regions they've visited.

You can set up a communal eating area where everyone can try a variety of international foods. It's like having a global potluck! This idea not only celebrates diverse cuisines but also allows employees to bond over their shared love for food and travel.

2. Travel story sharing

Traveling is full of exciting adventures and sometimes hilarious mishaps. Organize a session during a lunch break or as part of a casual meeting where employees can share their travel experiences.

It could be a heartwarming story about a memorable trip or a funny anecdote about a travel mishap. This activity helps coworkers get to know each other better and learn about different parts of the world through personal stories.

3. Travel trivia quiz

Put together a fun and engaging travel-themed quiz for your colleagues. The quiz can include questions about famous landmarks, world capitals, unique customs, and interesting facts from various countries.

You can divide everyone into teams and make it a friendly competition to see who knows the most about world trivia. It's a great way to infuse a bit of friendly rivalry and learning into your World Tourism Day celebration.

4. Cultural dress-up day

Encourage your coworkers to showcase their appreciation for different cultures by coming to the office dressed in attire representing a country or culture they admire or have a connection with.

It could be as simple as wearing a traditional scarf or something more elaborate like a kimono or a sarong. This activity not only allows employees to express their cultural interests but also opens the door to conversations about the significance of the attire and the cultures they represent.

5. Travel destination décor

Transform your office into a mini global tour by decorating it with travel-themed elements. Hang up world maps, and travel posters, and display souvenirs from various destinations.

You can even have a friendly competition for the best-decorated workspace. This idea not only sets the mood for a travel-inspired celebration but also sparks conversations and curiosity about different parts of the world among your colleagues.

6. Global art exhibition

Encourage employees to showcase their artistic talents by organizing a global art exhibition. Invite them to create and display artwork inspired by their travel experiences or the cultures they've encountered.

It could include paintings, drawings, photography, or even crafts. This not only celebrates creativity but also provides a unique perspective on different parts of the world.

7. Language exchange workshop

Foster cross-cultural understanding by organizing a language exchange workshop. Invite colleagues who are fluent in different languages to teach basic phrases or expressions from their respective countries.

It's a fun way to learn a new language and appreciate the diversity of world languages.

8. Travel documentary screening

Set up a cozy corner in the office and screen travel documentaries or films that highlight the beauty and culture of various destinations.

Provide popcorn and drinks, and let everyone take a virtual journey around the world through the power of storytelling and visuals.

9. Travel-themed puzzles and games

Dedicate a section of your office to travel-themed puzzles and board games. Include jigsaw puzzles featuring famous landmarks, world map puzzles, and geography-based board games.

It's a great way to engage coworkers in friendly competition and learning while celebrating World Tourism Day.

10. Travel tips and hacks sharing session

Organize a casual session where employees can share their travel tips, hacks, and recommendations.

They can talk about their favorite travel apps, packing techniques, or budget-saving strategies. This idea not only promotes knowledge sharing but also helps colleagues become more travel-savvy.

11. Virtual reality travel experience

Bring a taste of different destinations to your office by setting up virtual reality (VR) stations. Employees can put on VR headsets and take immersive virtual tours of famous landmarks, cities, or natural wonders from around the world.

It's an innovative way to celebrate tourism and allows coworkers to "visit" places they may have never been before.

12. Global recipe swap

Encourage employees to participate in a global recipe swap. Each person can bring in a dish from their favorite travel destination, along with the recipe. Create a booklet with all the recipes and distribute it to everyone in the office.

This not only celebrates international cuisine but also allows coworkers to recreate dishes from different parts of the world at home.

12 World Tourism Day celebration ideas in the office virtually

Here are 12 World Tourism Day celebration ideas in the office virtually:

1. Around-the-world cooking challenge

Invite your colleagues to embark on a culinary journey from the comfort of their kitchens. Ask participants to choose a country or region, research its traditional dishes, and then prepare one of those dishes.

During a virtual lunch or dinner meetup, employees can showcase their culinary creations, share the cultural significance of the food, and even provide cooking tips. It's a delicious way to explore different cultures and cuisines while bonding over a shared meal.

2. Global trivia and quiz

Test your team's knowledge about world geography, famous landmarks, and travel facts with a lively virtual trivia and quiz session. Create teams and have them compete to answer questions related to various countries and cultures.

To make it more engaging, you can incorporate multimedia elements like photos and videos. Offer prizes or recognition to the winning team to add a competitive edge to the celebration.

3. Virtual travel showcase

Encourage employees to share their passion for travel by creating short video presentations or slideshows about their favorite travel destinations. They can include personal photos, anecdotes, travel tips, and recommendations.

This interactive session allows team members to learn from one another's travel experiences, discover hidden gems around the world, and find inspiration for their future adventures.

4. Cultural exchange hour

Foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity within your team by dedicating time to a virtual cultural exchange. Invite colleagues to share aspects of their own culture or a culture they admire.

This can involve storytelling, music performances, dance demonstrations, or even a crash course in basic phrases from another language. By celebrating different cultures, you promote inclusivity and create a more culturally rich work environment.

5. Travel-themed costume contest

Inject some fun and creativity into your virtual celebration by hosting a travel-themed costume contest. Encourage employees to dress up as characters, historical figures, or elements inspired by different countries or cultures.

During a virtual meeting, participants can explain the significance of their costumes and why they chose them. To add an element of interactivity, you can have colleagues vote for the most creative or culturally authentic costume, with prizes awarded to the winners.

6. Wanderlust photo contest

Organize a virtual photo contest where employees submit their best travel photos along with captions that describe their experiences.

Create different categories such as "Scenic Landscapes," "Cultural Encounters," and "Adventure Moments." Encourage team members to vote for their favorite photos, and award prizes to the winners.

This activity not only showcases the beauty of our world but also allows colleagues to share their travel stories visually.

7. Virtual escape room adventure

Transport your team on a virtual adventure by hosting a travel-themed escape room experience.

Choose a destination or scenario related to travel, and challenge employees to work together to solve puzzles, riddles, and challenges to "escape" from a virtual location. It's an interactive and team-building way to celebrate World Tourism Day.

8. Travel book club

Start a travel-themed book club within your office. Select a travel-related book, memoir, or novel and encourage employees to read it in the weeks leading up to World Tourism Day.

Host a virtual discussion where participants can share their thoughts, insights, and favorite travel-related quotes from the book. It's a literary journey that sparks conversation and inspires wanderlust.

9. DIY souvenir swap

Ask team members to dig into their travel memories and share a meaningful souvenir they've collected during their adventures. They can present these items during a virtual meeting, explaining the significance and story behind each one.

Then, you can organize a virtual souvenir swap, where participants can choose to exchange souvenirs with their colleagues. It's a unique way to bring a piece of the world into each other's homes.

10. Travel-themed scavenger hunt

Create a virtual scavenger hunt with travel-themed clues and challenges. Participants can use the internet to search for clues related to different countries, famous landmarks, or cultural traditions.

They can collaborate in teams to solve these challenges within a set time frame. The first team to complete all the tasks wins the scavenger hunt. It's a fun and educational way to explore the world from your computer.

11. Virtual travel film festival

Transform your virtual celebration into a cinematic adventure by organizing a travel-themed film festival. Have employees suggest their top travel movies or documentaries beforehand, and plan a screening schedule leading up to World Tourism Day.

After each movie, facilitate a discussion for participants to chat about their thoughts, travel inspirations, or personal ties to the places in the films.

12. Global recipe exchange

Encourage employees to explore different cultures through their taste buds by organizing a global recipe exchange. Each participant can select a recipe from a foreign cuisine they'd like to try, prepare it at home, and then share their cooking adventure during a virtual meetup.

This can include cooking demonstrations, tasting sessions, and discussions about the cultural significance of the dish.

Celebrating World Tourism Day in the office is not just about marking a date on the calendar. It's about embracing the spirit of exploration, promoting cultural understanding, and fostering a sense of unity among colleagues.

The 24 ideas we've shared in this blog offer a diverse range of ways to commemorate this day, whether it's through mouth-watering international cuisine, engaging activities that test your global knowledge, or even simple acts of kindness that pay homage to the hospitality found in different corners of the world.

Remember, the beauty of celebrating World Tourism Day at the office lies in the opportunity it provides to broaden our horizons, break down barriers, and appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our global community.

So, go ahead and bring a touch of wanderlust to your workplace this September 27th, and let the spirit of travel and adventure inspire your team to explore the world, one idea at a time. Happy World Tourism Day!

20 Unique Ways to Celebrate World Environmental Health Day in the Office

65 world tourism day quotes to ignite the wanderlust in your employees, unlock the biggest secret of engagement to retain your top performers., -->guest contributor -->.

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World Tourism Day

It's World Tourism Day on 27 September. Visiting new places can be great, but there's a bad side to tourism too. Read this article to find out more.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Do you like travelling to other places, cities and countries? Many people do. Tourism is a huge industry – it's as large as or larger than the oil, food and car industries. It creates so many jobs that one in every ten people in the world works in tourism.

However, for many people and places, tourism is not a completely positive thing.

What problems can tourism create?

Some places receive millions of tourists a year, which creates problems for local people. When tour buses block roads, it's hard for local people to get to work or school. Often, international companies open up, and small shops and restaurants close down. Another problem is accommodation – in Barcelona and New York, for example, many flats and houses are used as tourist accommodation, so homes for local people have become expensive and hard to find.

Tourism can be bad for the environment too. Natural areas are destroyed to make space to build hotels and tourist facilities, and building them consumes a lot of energy and resources. Historic buildings are damaged, such as those in Venice by large cruise ships entering the city. These ships also harm animal and plant life. More tourism means more crowds, noise, rubbish and pollution.

What is World Tourism Day?

The United Nations World Tourism Day is a day for thinking about tourism and its effects on people and places. It is celebrated every year on 27 September. On this day, people meet to discuss tourism and try to solve the problems that tourism creates. The meetings are organised by a different country or group of countries every year.

What can we do to make tourism less harmful?

Some governments have already taken action. In Barcelona and New York, there are now limits on short-term rental accommodation. The number of cruise ships entering Venice is limited now too.

Importantly, individual tourists can help by choosing more sustainable ways of visiting places. For example, if tourists visit Venice on a cruise ship but they sleep and eat all their meals on the ship, does the local community in Venice really benefit from their visit? If not, it could be better to choose a different form of tourism, one that benefits the city and local people more.

We also need to reduce pollution and climate change. Is it necessary to fly to your destination or can you take a train instead?

If we can make tourism more sustainable, everyone can benefit, and people can continue to enjoy visiting these places in the future.

Check your understanding: multiple choice

Check your grammar: grouping, worksheets and downloads.

Which places do you like to visit? Have you noticed any positive or negative effects of tourism where you live?

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The One Liner

World tourism day: 9 importance of embracing cultural heritage tourism, layaba noor september 27, 2023. 4 minute read.

In this article, we’re exploring nine reasons why Cultural Heritage Tourism is important. Additionally, we will highlight remarkable facets of World Tourism Day 2023.

• Table of Content

9 Importance of Embracing Cultural Heritage Tourism

Final thoughts, we all know this….

World Tourism Day is a reminder of the importance of investing in sustainable tourism that benefits both people and the planet.

On this World Tourism Day 2023 let’s celebrate sustainable tourism with the theme “Tourism and Green Investments.” This year’s host, Saudi Arabia, emphasises the need to balance progress and preservation in the tourism sector.

Cultural Heritage Tourism is important for promoting cultural understanding, supporting local economies, preserving cultural heritage, creating jobs, and enriching the travel experience. 

Understanding the significance and history of World Tourism Day itself is an integral part of Cultural Heritage Tourism. 

And in this article, we have specifically emphasised on why Cultural Heritage Tourism is important for promoting cultural understanding, supporting local economies, preserving cultural heritage, creating jobs, and enriching the travel experience. 

And below is the list of reasons why we must embrace Cultural Heritage Tourism.

1. Preserves Our Roots

Exploring cultural heritage through tourism allows us to connect with our ancestral roots. This experience provides a unique opportunity to delve into the traditions, customs, and practices of different cultures, enhancing our understanding of our shared history. 

By preserving cultural heritage sites and practices, we ensure that future generations can also appreciate and learn from the past.

2. Promotes Cultural Exchange

World Tourism Day promotes cultural exchange, allowing travellers to immerse themselves in the customs and traditions of the places they visit. 

This kind of cultural exchange of ideas and experiences fosters mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation among diverse cultures, contributing to global harmony.

3. Boost Economic Growth

Cultural heritage tourism has a significant economic impact. 

Cultural heritage tourism generates income and employment opportunities, especially in rural areas, by encouraging the development of local businesses, tour operators, artisans, and cultural performances. 

By attracting tourists to cultural sites, communities can thrive economically.

4. Aligns with Sustainability Practices

Embracing cultural heritage tourism often aligns with sustainable tourism practices. 

Preserving cultural sites and traditions requires protecting natural resources, which leads to environmentally responsible tourism. 

Sustainable tourism ensures that the beauty and significance of these sites endure for future generations to enjoy.

5. Let’s you Explore History on Wheels

Imagine a journey where the secrets of India’s heritage unfurl as you glide along the tracks. In an era where road trips and flights have taken centre stage, the allure of train travel remains the favourite. 

Nothing compares to the heartwarming conversations with fellow travellers, ever-changing landscapes outside your window, and occasional pauses to stretch your legs. 

It’s an immersive odyssey through the tapestry of India’s diverse culture.

6. Celebrates Diversity

World Tourism Day celebrates the rich tapestry of human diversity. 

It encourages travellers to explore different cultures, languages, and traditions, ultimately promoting inclusivity and respect for all people, regardless of their background.

7. Promotes the Art of Cultural Adaptation

One of the key lessons of cultural heritage tourism is the art of cultural adaptation. 

Travellers learn to respect and adapt to the local customs and traditions of the places they visit, which promotes cultural sensitivity and global citizenship.

8. Nurtures Cultural Pride

Cultural heritage tourism instils a sense of pride among local communities. 

By showcasing their unique traditions and heritage, communities can rekindle and strengthen their cultural identity, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among their members.

9. Travelling Makes You Humble!

Travelling is a humbling experience. It exposes us to diverse cultures, fostering empathy and appreciation for different perspectives. 

This profound lesson in humility is one of the enduring gifts of cultural heritage tourism.

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As we celebrate World Tourism Day in 2023 with a focus on Cultural Heritage Tourism, it is essential to recognize its profound impact on our world.

Preserving and embracing our cultural heritage creates a more interconnected, respectful, and economically vibrant global society.

So, this World Tourism Day, let’s embark on a journey to discover and cherish the wealth of cultural treasures our world offers, ensuring that they remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.

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World Tourism Day

Global Citizenship , International Day

Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted

First celebration of world tourism day, theme is "tourism for all - promoting universal accessibility".

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

At its Twelfth Session in Istanbul , Turkey , in October 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization’s partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its Fifteenth Session in Beijing , China , in October 2003, the Assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East.

The late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian national, was the one who proposed the idea of marking September 27 of every year as World Tourism Day. He was finally recognized for his contribution in 2009.

Read the rest of this entry on Wikipedia .

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Destination readiness: Preparing for the tourist flows of tomorrow

Tourism can help build a more connected, more vibrant world. But as tourism grows rapidly, the most visited destinations are experiencing more concentrated flows (Exhibit 1). Recent satellite data suggests that 80 percent of travelers visit just 10 percent of the world’s tourist destinations. The number of travelers and the frequency of their trips are only set to increase.

A large flow of tourists, if not carefully channeled, can encumber infrastructure, harm natural and cultural attractions, and frustrate locals and visitors alike. Today’s tech-enabled travel landscape can exacerbate this issue: one eye-catching photo on a social media network can make a little-known attraction go viral.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Caroline Tufft , Margaux Constantin , Matteo Pacca , and Ryan Mann , with Ivan Gladstone and Jasperina de Vries, representing views from McKinsey’s Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice.

Against this backdrop, now is the time for tourism stakeholders to combine their thinking and resources to look for better ways to handle the visitor flows of today—while properly preparing themselves for the visitor flows of tomorrow. We offer a diagnostic that destinations can use to spot early-warning signs about tourism concentration, followed by suggestions for funding mechanisms and strategies to help maximize the benefits of tourism while minimizing its negative impacts.

Carrying capacity and its impact on destination readiness

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of visitors that a destination can accommodate without causing harm to its physical, economic, and sociocultural environment or compromising the quality of visitors’ experiences. To effectively manage carrying capacity, destinations must first understand their specific limits—then actively work to stay within them.

When a destination exceeds its carrying capacity, the negative effects of tourism may begin to outweigh the benefits (Exhibit 2). Shutting down tourism isn’t always feasible or sustainable. Instead, destinations should focus on increasing their carrying capacity to enable more growth. By adopting early-detection mechanisms and attentively managing carrying capacity, destinations can strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving natural and cultural assets and quality of life for residents.

In 2017, leveraging the growing availability of data about travelers, McKinsey, in collaboration with the World Travel & Tourism Council, developed a diagnostic tool  to help spot early-warning signals that a destination is under stress from tourism. 1 “ Coping with success: Managing overcrowding in tourism destinations ,” McKinsey, December 14, 2017. This year, we have updated this tool to address the evolving nature of the challenge and the accessibility of more nuanced and precise data (see sidebar “Methodology for assessing destination readiness”).

Methodology for assessing destination readiness

Utilizing information from vendors, publicly available databases, and press searches, we measured airline traffic, accommodation booking activity, and traveler sentiment. 1 Diio Mi; International Air Transport Association; Mabrian Technologies; Oxford Economics; Tripadvisor; UN World Tourism Organization; World Travel & Tourism Council. We also incorporated analysis of data sets obtained from travel-focused groups such as the UN World Tourism Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Our intent was to identify metrics that indicate the potential effects of concentrated tourism. We examined metrics affecting the following six categories:

• Local economy: measuring the potential risk of dependence on tourism based on the speed of tourism growth over the past five years and tourism’s contribution to direct employment and GDP.
• Local community: measuring the concentration of tourism in city centers based on inbound arrivals, nights stayed, and tourism accommodations per square kilometer.
• Tourist experience: measuring overall tourist sentiment based on reviews of top 20 attractions and guest satisfaction regarding accommodations.
• Infrastructure: measuring potential overloading risks caused by tourism based on the seasonal intensity and geographic concentration of visitor arrivals.
• Nature and the environment: measuring risks to nature based on carbon emissions generated by travel and sustainability commitments pledged by local hotels.
• Culture and heritage: measuring potential threats to cultural sites based on the concentration of visitors at these sites.

Starting with a list of 65 major, representative cities, we’ve separated locations into quintiles indicating levels of potential risk and negative impact stemming from tourism flows (Exhibit 3). While this data is focused on metropolitan areas, the approach can be replicated for all sorts of popular destinations—from beach towns to mountain villages to religious sites.

Destinations can be grouped into the four following archetypes, based on whether they are struggling with visitor flow and whether they have developed tools to manage it:

• Seasonally overloaded destinations pair high visitor concentrations with limited tourist-flow-management capabilities. These cities may have room to expand their visitor management tool kits to enhance the experiences of both locals and tourists. Representative examples include Cancún, Dubrovnik, and Marrakech.
• Increasingly stressed destinations currently receive limited numbers of visitors but exhibit signs of stressed infrastructure resulting from limited tourism flow management. These cities could both boost their visitor numbers and improve their visitor infrastructure. Representative examples include Los Angeles, Manila, and Mumbai.
• Actively managed destinations receive high concentrations of visitors and have developed robust visitor management flows in response. Continuous monitoring and innovation could help these cities continue to adequately manage carrying capacity. Representative examples include Amsterdam, Bangkok, and Dubai.
• Balanced-capacity destinations receive relatively fewer visitors but have already implemented sophisticated tourism-flow-management systems. These cities can focus on boosting their visitor numbers while actively monitoring the impact of this growth. Representative examples include Abu Dhabi, Lima, and Singapore.

Seasonally overloaded: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is an intensely seasonal destination, with roughly 20 times more inbound airline seats made available for sale during its peak season (July and August) than during low season (January and February). The density of vacation rentals can reach about 90 postings per square kilometer in summer. The city is a popular stop for Mediterranean cruises, and its small, history-laden center can experience concentrated tourist footfalls when a ship is in port.

Dubrovnik falls in the top quintile of risk in four of our six categories, although it has begun taking significant steps to combat overcrowding. The city recently banned new private-rental permits in its historic Old Town neighborhood to counter rising rent costs for locals, 1 Sanjana Shenoy, “Croatia: Historic city Dubrovnik bans new rental permits to curb overtourism & help locals,” Curly Tales, March 15, 2024. and it’s also reorganizing cruise schedules to better stagger visitor flows.

Increasingly stressed: Mumbai

Mumbai is well positioned to capitalize on booming Indian tourism, but the city could benefit from building out its visitor-management-flow systems. Mumbai has the lowest tourism density relative to its population of all cities in our data set, yet visitors report some of the same concerns seen in more popular tourism hot spots, including long waits for entrance to attractions and a plethora of guides and vendors competing for attention. Road traffic is a major detriment to the visitor experience, with tourists in 2023 experiencing an average travel time of 20 minutes to cover ten kilometers.

The city has ambitious plans to reduce congestion with new metro and highway systems that could benefit both locals and tourists. It might have additional room to increase carrying capacity by addressing current visitor pain points—for example, by installing modernized metal detectors to smooth entry into major attractions or by creating centralized guide booths at attractions to help visitors find licensed guides.

Actively managed: Amsterdam

Given Amsterdam’s small geographic footprint, its extreme concentration of visitors puts significant pressure on local infrastructure—affecting the daily experiences of both tourists and residents. It has tried to actively manage tourism through measures such as its recently announced moratorium on hotel development 1 Charlotte Van Campenhout, “Amsterdam bans new hotels in fight against mass tourism,” Reuters, April 17, 2024. and a ban on public smoking of cannabis in its red-light district. 2 “Amsterdam to ban cannabis outdoors in red-light district,” Reuters, February 10, 2023. It has also used marketing to promote less-well-known areas in an effort to channel some visitors away from the most crowded neighborhoods. Amsterdam uses data gleaned from social media and behavior tracked on its tourist-friendly city card to analyze tourist flows and spot areas under stress.

Balanced capacity: Singapore

Renowned for an automated metro train line, futuristic downtown core, and cutting-edge innovation, Singapore has the infrastructure, resources, and practices in place to grow and support larger tourism flows. It currently ranks 56th out of the 65 cities we analyzed in terms of inbound visits per square kilometer.

Singapore’s limited land mass does tend to concentrate visitor flows at top attractions, which could create threats to cultural sites and negatively affect the experiences of both visitors and locals. Recent development projects have expanded the depth and breadth of tourist offerings, creating new attractions that could help increase the city’s carrying capacity and keep it primed for future growth.

Funding destination readiness

Once the need for destination readiness has been identified, questions turn to funding. Destinations should carefully consider which sources and mechanisms to use to generate the revenue needed to address the impacts of tourism—and ensure that the burdens don’t fall disproportionately.

Devise permit systems for individual attractions

Requiring visitors to obtain a paid permit before viewing an attraction can generate revenue while simultaneously helping to manage capacity. Permitting systems are most effective in places where demand frequently exceeds capacity and, if left unchecked, could risk causing harm to ecologically or culturally sensitive locales. Galapagos National Park in Ecuador, for instance, uses a strict permitting system with entrance fees that are applied directly toward preservation efforts.

A potential downside of permit requirements is the financial barrier for tourists who have less ability to pay. Many destinations have instituted lotteries that govern the opportunity to purchase an affordable permit, though this also reduces the funding generated by this strategy. It’s worth noting that there can be limits to the effectiveness of permitting systems: Mount Everest’s sky-high fees haven’t reduced demand from climbers.

Capitalize on major, one-off events

The city of Vancouver was able to use the planning process for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games as a catalyst to unlock government funding for long-desired infrastructure development—including road and train projects that had been stalled for more than a decade. While there’s risk that any given future mega-event won’t lead to sustained tourism demand, it can lead to lasting infrastructure improvements that benefit locals 2 Nelson Bennett, “Path to 2010 Olympics built from asphalt, steel,” Vancouver Is Awesome , February 11, 2020. for years to come.

Explore public–private partnerships

Destinations can pursue public–private partnerships to accelerate development and spread out risk. Common examples of this approach include cofunded or cobuilt event centers or museums. Exclusive concessions established and granted by destinations can provide revenue-generating opportunities to operators or leaseholders in exchange for financial returns and other commitments, such as pledges to sustainably develop and maintain a location or to support local education, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Ensure proceeds from tourism are invested where they are needed

Cities shouldn’t underestimate the strain on waste, water, and road infrastructure that tourism can create. In places where visitors significantly exceed local populations, tourism tax revenue can be budgeted into core municipal expenses, such as road maintenance and waste management, so that repairing wear and tear caused by visitors doesn’t fall entirely on locals. Tourism taxes and entry fees can be redistributed to local communities or used for preservation or restoration projects.

Managing capacity and mitigating negative impacts from growing tourist flows

After risks and funding sources have been identified, there are several promising strategies that the tourism ecosystem can employ to prepare for growing tourist volumes. They are most effective when coordinated across a broad set of stakeholders, including city governments, destination management organizations, hospitality companies, experience providers, transportation authorities, and airlines:

• Build and equip a tourism-ready workforce.
• Use data to manage and forecast visitor flows.
• Be deliberate about which tourist segments to attract.
• Distribute visitor footfall over space.
• Distribute visitor footfall over time.
• Be prepared for sudden, unexpected fluctuations.
• Preserve cultural and natural heritage.

Build and equip a tourism-ready workforce

Preparing a tourism workforce goes well beyond making sure that staff at a reception desk are polite. Tourism stakeholders should strive to ensure sufficient labor supply by fostering interest in the tourism sector, training entry-level workers in soft skills, and providing ample opportunities for career advancement. Training can be a collaborative effort by the public and private sectors.

Africa’s not-for-profit Female Guide program partners with leading safari providers to sponsor, train, and employ African women who are interested in conducting safari tours. 3 Sandra MacGregor, “I went on a safari in Botswana with a female guide—here’s why it made all the difference,” Travel + Leisure , December 23, 2023. The alcoholic-beverage company Diageo hosts training for hospitality students near Da Nang, a tourism hot spot in Vietnam, covering bar knowledge, teamwork, and customer service skills.

Regulating and credentialing locals who are part of informal tourism economies can help raise service standards and create more positive tourist experiences. For example, Singapore’s efforts to legalize and license street vending resulted in UNESCO recognition of its street hawker culture. 4 “Hawker culture in Singapore,” National Heritage Board, accessed May 2024.

Use data to manage visitor flows

Destinations can build and continuously improve holistic data monitoring and forecasting systems. Data can be gathered from governments (visa tracking), businesses (accommodation bookings and event ticket purchases), social media platforms (user behavior), and other sources. Crowd monitoring tools can provide real-time data about the location of mobile phones to help forecast and manage visitor flows.

Some destinations provide value in exchange for data. For instance, the I amsterdam City Card offers tourists access and discounts to attractions while tracking where the card is used (see sidebar “How Amsterdam handles its tourist flows”).

How Amsterdam handles its tourist flows

Geerte Udo was CEO of Amsterdam & Partners until earlier this year, when she stepped down after 17 years. Amsterdam & Partners is a public–private foundation that focuses, in part, on managing tourism in the Amsterdam metropolitan area. McKinsey spoke with Udo about Amsterdam’s efforts to handle its large tourist flows. The following is an edited version of the conversation.

McKinsey: How does Amsterdam balance the positive aspects of tourism with some of the challenges that hosting large numbers of visitors can create?

Geerte Udo: We’re very lucky in that we have a beautiful city that sells itself. People want to come here. And the visitor economy has a lot of benefits. It creates jobs, it pays taxes, and 30 percent of our public transport is financed by visitors. Our residents love the cultural infrastructure we have here, and we couldn’t support it by ourselves. We love the diversity and quality of our restaurants and bars, which are also supported by visitors. We need our visitors because they raise the quality of life for our residents.

But there are elements of the visitor economy that can harm the quality of life in the city. We’re seeing more and more visitors because the general income of people across the world is rising, and everybody wants to travel. Like other European cities that are old harbor cities with narrow streets, we have moments where we deal with overcrowding. This is mostly in the old city center, on a few narrow streets, at certain days and times. But the public space there isn’t well organized and can’t handle the number of people who want to go there.

Another issue we have is nuisance. Our city has a reputation: if you want to have a party, come to Amsterdam. It can be very annoying for residents in certain neighborhoods when visitors come to party from Thursday through Sunday evening. It makes it hard for people to live there.

There’s also an issue with managing the amount of waste in the city. Because we have more guests, there’s more waste in the street. And there’s a separate issue with private, short-term rental properties, which can sometimes crowd out housing that’s built for residents.

McKinsey: Are you able to gather data and use it to get insights that can help you handle tourist flows?

Geerte Udo: We have a lot of sources of data. At a European level, we share data with 110 European cities to see what the latest traveler trends are. We can learn from one another and understand, for instance, if a trend is only happening in the northern part of Europe or also in the southern part. More locally, we have a national data center that can tell us how many people visit the city, how long they stay, which countries they come from, their ages, and other factual information.

Our organization also does its own research on visitor behavior. For instance, we sell an I amsterdam City Card. It gives visitors free access to public transport, museums, and various attractions. We sell about 150,000 to 200,000 cards a year, and because people need to check in with our card at the locations, we can see their movement patterns. Over time, we’re able to anticipate when and where people will go. For instance, many people visit museums in the morning and then go on a canal boat ride in the afternoon. We can advise first-time visitors to reverse that order because they’re likely to have better, less crowded experiences that way.

But nudging people only works if you can connect to their needs. We wouldn’t tell a first-time visitor to venture out to a neighborhood that’s not well-known—we understand that if they’re here for the first time, they really want to see the highlights. Whereas if you’re here for the third time, and we know what you’ve been doing and a little bit about your preferences, we can guide you to other neighborhoods and areas we think you’ll enjoy.

We know from data that there’s a trend in behavior where, after 2.4 days, people are often ready to explore beyond the city. This number is similar in other cities, as well. After 2.4 days, people start to ask, “Can you show me where I can get some fresh air for a half day?” And we can then offer them guidance on visiting beaches, windmills, and so forth.

McKinsey: What are some mitigation strategies that you’ve tried or considered?

Geerte Udo: One thing we’ve put effort into is branding and marketing concepts. If people come to our city thinking that everything is in the canal district, it’s hard to guide them to other areas. So we’ve tried to build our image into much more than the canal district, expanding interest into other areas that all have different identities and different flavors.

There have been years of discussions about gating certain areas and charging fees to enter them. That might help generate revenue that the city can spend on cleaning streets and improving the subways, which would be beneficial for the tourism industry. But in my opinion, charging fees or raising tourist taxes won’t reduce visitor numbers at all.

We’ve spent a lot of time with city hall looking into the best ways to organize public spaces. For a long time, urban planning didn’t even take visitors into account when thinking about how to arrange public space. To truly manage visitor flows, there needs to be a bigger-picture, integrated approach to how a city is organized.

None of this will reduce the number of travelers because travel is growing so fast. But we can guide visitors to disperse them across time and space, minimize overcrowding, and put less pressure on the old city center. I think guiding and spreading tourism really can work if we manage to match supply and demand.

Comments and opinions expressed by interviewees are their own and do not represent or reflect the opinions, policies, or positions of McKinsey & Company or have its endorsement.

Be deliberate about which tourist segments to attract

Different tourists arrive with different kinds of baggage—literally and metaphorically. Destinations can be strategic in identifying the types of tourism they want to encourage. Some destinations might welcome (and be able to handle) party crowds, while others might be more interested in attracting families or older travelers. Destinations should work to understand the demographics, preferences, and behaviors of their target customers before tailoring offerings and communications that will appeal to them.

Bhutan requires a sustainable development fee of $100 per day from visitors. This requirement serves to limit the number of visitors and their impact on the small nation while simultaneously creating a sense of exclusivity that spurs increased interest from international travelers.

Distribute visitor footfall over space

Nudging tourists to visit less trafficked areas can help ease congestion at the most famous and popular attractions. This can work at a neighborhood level: pop-up experiences and off-the-beaten-path tours hosted by local guides can entice tourists to explore farther afield. It can also work on a wider geographic scale: TikTok’s “destination dupe” trend surfaces less expensive, less crowded locales that offer many of the same experiences as more crowded destinations (for instance, Taipei instead of Seoul).

Marketing campaigns can frame a destination as a place where visitors chart their own paths. The “I amsterdam” campaign, for example, encourages tourists to create their own personalized versions of the city. AI-powered tools can help craft bespoke itineraries based on visitors’ preferences and interests, matching travelers with unexpected neighborhoods, accommodations, and restaurants that will appeal to their individual tastes.

Developing accommodations and attractions in less dense areas by repurposing assets can also help distribute footfall. Istanbul helped facilitate the restoration of a 1930s tobacco factory and warehouse that became a hotel. The Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg was a run-down cluster of warehouses before being repurposed to create art galleries, restaurants, and retail spaces.

Distribute visitor footfall over time

Seasonal concentration of tourist activities can cause inefficient use of infrastructure and overload destinations’ ecological, social, and cultural systems. Forty-three percent of travelers already choose to travel off-season to avoid overcrowding. 5 “How to travel: a look at sustainable travel habits,” Booking.com, October 3, 2023. Stakeholders can take steps to encourage even more shifting of visits to off-peak periods. Iceland, for instance, has heavily promoted winter visits to see the Northern Lights, drawing on collaboration across the entire tourism ecosystem—from tour operators developing ice cave excursions to airlines promoting reduced winter airfares.

Distributing visitors across hours is another powerful strategy. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Hawaii has timed reservations, which smooth visitor numbers across the day and enable a better experience for all. The Petra archaeological site in Jordan has taken a different approach: by creating an evening light and sound show, this popular attraction has expanded the breadth of attractive visitation times.

Because domestic travel represents the bulk of trips, governments might be able to help distribute visitors by carefully managing holiday schedules. For example, the French government has split school holidays so that different regions are on break at different times, which helps mitigate overcrowding during ski season.

Be prepared for sudden, unexpected fluctuations

A viral social media post can send travelers flocking to a destination that might not be prepared for the influx. One beautiful block in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood earned the nickname “selfie street” when visitors—having seen other tourists’ picturesque selfies on social media—flooded it with phones in hand. Footfall data shows that Dumbo saw an 86 percent increase in visits from 2022 to 2023.

In some instances, this type of behavior can cause significant harm. Access to the secluded Burney Falls waterfall in Northern California was shut down this year in part because of trail damage caused by heavy visitor flows. Data shows that interest in this photogenic spot took off on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, with peak season in 2023 seeing three to four times as many weekly visitors as in 2019.

Destinations should keep tabs on social media activity and cultural trends that pertain to them. They might consider developing playbooks in advance with planned procedures for handling viral surges. Local tourism stakeholders can attempt to anticipate this type of sudden interest and actively channel it in ways that will mitigate negative impacts. It’s important to be mindful that virality can have different levels of staying power—ranging from a brief phenomenon to an enduring trend.

Preserve cultural and natural heritage

Destinations need to weigh considerations of both accessibility and preservation as they manage tourists’ engagement with natural and cultural attractions. One option is to designate culturally or ecologically significant land and then engage locals in finding ways to strike this balance. Legally protecting lands is a long-standing conservation practice, and governments have increasingly turned to Indigenous populations to better understand cultural sensitivities around specific sites. For example, Indigenous Tourism Alberta partners with Indigenous groups to offer tourists authentic experiences—such as fishing, jewelry making, and hiking—while minimizing negative impacts on nature and culture.

Although tourists often prefer to roam freely around natural sites, limiting access—either geographically or temporally—can be critical to preservation. Creating specific pathways (with showcases for educational material along the way) can allow guests to safely and efficiently walk through a site without causing damage or disturbing wildlife habitats. Sometimes a digital substitute can be an effective solution: Digital Giza lets tourists experience a re-creation of the Egyptian tombs without needing to actually enter them.

Sensitive areas can be closed for predetermined time periods to allow for rejuvenation and sustainable development. And naturally seasonal sites can take advantage of off-peak downtime to fully close and refresh attractions. For example, the Inca Trail in Peru shuts for one month every year during the rainy season to allow nature to recuperate from heavy footfall on the trail. Ideally, these downtimes should be established preventatively and communicated to tourists well in advance, but in some instances, they may need to be prescribed on short notice to prevent imminent damage or rectify harm already done.

As global travel continues to grow, it’s crucial for stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem to be ready for the challenges that could arrive alongside increased visitor flows. By understanding the risks and opportunities, implementing funding strategies, and collaborating across sectors, popular destinations can take steps to preserve their cultural, economic, and environmental assets.

Caroline Tufft is a senior partner in McKinsey’s London office, Margaux Constantin is a partner in the Dubai office, Matteo Pacca is a senior partner in the Paris office, Ryan Mann is a partner in the Chicago office, Ivan Gladstone is an associate partner in the Riyadh office, and Jasperina de Vries is an associate partner in the Amsterdam office.

The authors wish to thank Abdulhadi Alghamdi, Alessandra Powell, Alex Dichter, Cedric Tsai, Diane Vu, Elisa Wallwitz, Lily Miller, Maggie Coffey, Nadya Snezhkova, Nick Meronyk, Paulina Baum, Peimin Suo, Rebecca Stone, Sarah Fellay, Sarah Sahel, Sophia Wang, Steffen Fuchs, Steffen Köpke, Steve Saxon, and Urs Binggeli for their contributions to this article. The authors also wish to thank Mabrian for providing data.

This article was edited by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in the New York office.

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World Environment Day 2024: Thoughts, Quotes, Slogans, Wishes For Students

World environment day 2024: read the article to find out what is world environment day and when it is celebrated. get thoughts and wishes to share with family and friends on the day. .

World Environment Day 2024:  World Environment Day is an annual event which is celebrated by people across the globe. Over the years, the event has established itself as a platform to create awareness about environmental issues such as air and water pollution, food security, sea-level increase among others. World Environment Day aims to bring change in nations’ policies related to the environment. In this article, we have covered thoughts, wishes and quotes for World Environment Day 2024. 

World Environment Day 2024: Theme

World environment day 2024: host, world environment day 2024: thoughts.

On World Environment Day, let’s take a pledge to keep our surroundings clean. 

On this World Environment Day, let's make a promise to ourselves to fulfill our duty towards mother nature and reduce carbon footprint. 

Every action, be it small or big, can go a long way in protecting the environment and resources. 

Make our planet a better and greener place for us and for the future generations. 

Earth is our home and we must keep it clean and green. 

Let’s join hands to protect and preserve the ecosystem. 

World Environment Day 2024: Quotes

“To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.” - Winston Churchill

“The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do.” - Galileo Galilei

“To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment.” - Jane Austen

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.”- Gary Snyder

“I firmly believe nature brings solace in all troubles.”- Anne Frank

World Environment Day 2024: Slogans

Save Earth, Save Life. 

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 

Green Earth, Clean Earth. 

Conserve Water, Conserve Life. 

Say No to Plastic.

Earth-Our Home, Our Responsibility. 

World Environment Day 2024: Wishes

Plant trees, reduce waste. Happy Environment Day to all. 

On the occasion of World Environment Day, let’s promise to make Earth a better place. Happy Environment Day!

Happy World Environment Day. Let us all shoulder the responsibility to save our natural resources. 

Earth is not just a planet, it is our home. Take a pledge to take good care of it. 

Nature nourishes us so it is our duty to protect and preserve her. Happy Environment Day. 

Sending best wishes on the happy occasion of World Environment Day. 

Greetings on World Environment Day 2024. Plant more trees and fulfill the duty of preserving life. 

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

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Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

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Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

• Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
• Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

• Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
• See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
• Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

• Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

• We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

• For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
• When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
• Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
• As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

• Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
• For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
• For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
• Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
• Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

• As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
• White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
• O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
• Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
• Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
• The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

• Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
• For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
• Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
• At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
• Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
• For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

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About Linda Voltaire

Linda Voltaire is the owner of Travel with a Silver Lining, home to reviews of gorgeous boutique & design hotels, hip & trendy eateries as well as authentic and personal travel experiences beyond the crowd. She started blogging after a life-changing trip across South America. Follow Linda at TravelWithASilverLining / Facebook / Instagram /

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10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

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FOX News anchor Martha MacCallum live from Normandy in honor of D-Day 80th anniversary

By Jessica Manfre

Posted on Jun 5, 2024 1:57 PM PDT

Tessa Robinson

3 minute read

Eight decades have passed since dawn broke on the shores of Normandy, illuminating a scene of unparalleled bravery and sacrifice. On June 6, 1944, known forever as D-Day, the Allied forces launched a daring assault. As we acknowledge this incredible 80th anniversary, FOX News anchor Martha MacCallum will be there for it all.

MacCallum will broadcast live from the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, interviewing World War II Veterans and a delegation of United States Senators taking part in the ceremony about the milestone. It’s more than a story for the anchor, it’s personal.

“My Uncle Harry Gray fought and died at Iwo Jima at the age of 18. Reading my mother’s letters from him inspired me from a young age to learn more about World War II,” she shared. “I was able to travel to Iwo Jima with Pacific Theater veterans for my book in 2019 and it was a life changing experience.”

The FOX News anchor was on the beaches in Normandy with her family a decade ago and five years ago for the 75th anniversary as well.

“Each time I am so stuck by the genuineness and warmth and humility of our ‘Greatest Generation’,” MacCallum said. “The selflessness with which they fought and died and the brotherhood they share. The sisterhood as well, I met some great ‘Rosie the Riveters’ today during my interviews.”

Each day leading up to D-Day, MacCallum will help tell the stories of the veterans who participated in one of the greatest battles of all time. With it being the 80th anniversary, the chance to hear from these warriors is extraordinary. The media giant is also airing specials on their subscription service, FOX Nation, to recognize the anniversary. Frog Fathers: Lessons from the Normandy Surf follows four Navy SEAL veterans as they visit the site of the bloodiest day in U.S. Naval Special Warfare history. Following in the steps of their forefathers, the men pay homage to the fallen as they attempt to better understand the events of June 6, 1944.

“I would encourage any family who is able, to come here during the anniversary. The country villages and back roads come to life with WWII jeeps and people in uniform, music from the 1940s and parachutes dropping from planes above,” MacCallum explained. “There are C-47s flying over the beach and so many families who take the time to stop and talk and take photos with every World War II Veteran they meet. These men are like movie stars here and they truly deserve our praise and thanks.”

The successful Allied landing of D-Day paved the way for the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation which ultimately led to the downfall of Adolf Hitler’s regime. Its significance lies not only in the extraordinary military triumph but also in the embodiment of international cooperation and sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and democracy.

“We wouldn’t have ‘everyday America’ without these heroes. Hitler wanted to take over the UK and then America and we must be wary of the threats that exist today from aggressive Russian and Chinese expansionist efforts. Don’t be lulled into a sense of security,” MacCallum implored. “Remember these young men were living their young lives, enjoying being teens and twenty-somethings when the attack on Pearl Harbor changed everything. They lined up to sign up to go overseas. Would our young people do that today?  We owe these men so much and we should effort to emulate them more.”

Other than tuning into FOX News for coverage, WATM asked MacCallum what movies she would encourage Americans to watch to honor this anniversary.

“Encourage your children to watch The Longest Day , Saving Private Ryan , Band of Brothers or The Pacific . These movies are treasures that will spark their curiosity and understanding of our history,” she shared. “They are not getting this education in schools, so it really is up to you as parents to teach them and expose them to our history.”

Photos courtesy of Fox News. Used with permission.

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Sector gets ready to celebrate world tourism day 2022, world tourism day, rethinking tourism, returns to focus on the future, the tourism we want.

During the celebration, UNWTO launched its first World Tourism Day Report, the first in an annual series of updates and analysis of the Organization’s work guiding the sector forward. The inaugural report is titled “ Rethinking Tourism: From Crisis to Transformation ”, reflecting the timely relevance of the 2022 theme as well as the unprecedented crisis that hit the sector in 2020.

Tourism’s relevance has never been clearer. The time is now to seize this opportunity to rethink how we do tourism.

Arrival and Registration of participants

Welcome dinner (For all registered delegates)

Opening Ceremony

Special Address by Mr. I Wayan Koster , Governor of Bali

Welcome remarks by H.E. Mr. Sandiaga Uno , Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia

Congratulatory Message by H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo , President of The Republic of Indonesia, Video Taping (Tbc)

Opening remarks by Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili , Secretary-General of UNWTO

Culture Performance Group Photo

Coffee Break – News Conference

Presentation: World Tourism Day 2022 Report: from Crisis to Transformation

Mr. Marcelo Risi , UNWTO Chief of Communications

Mr. Phillip Orga , Head of Swiss Economic Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Indonesia (International Expert)

High-Level Debate on Rethinking Tourism

Moderator: Ms. Emma Nelson , presenter at BBC TV news

H.E. Mr. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno , Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia H.E. Ms. Fatima Al Sairafi , Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Bahrain H.E. Mr. Faiyaz Koya , Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport of Fiji H.E. Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb , Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.E. Mr. Cho Yongman , Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Republic of Korea H.E. Ms. María Reyes Maroto Illera , Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Spain Ms. Claudia Müller , Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry and for Tourism, Germany Ms. Julia Simpson , President & CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Lunch Hosted by Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy

Panel Discussion - Rethinking Tourism and New Governance for Recovery

Moderator: Ms. Sandra Carvão , Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness, UNWTO

Introductory remarks by Mrs. Angela Tanoesoedibjo , Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy

Ms. Fransiska Handoko , Chairwoman of the Bali Hotel Association (BHA) and General Manager of Risata Bali Resort & Spa Mr. Lim Jock Hoi , Secretary-General, ASEAN (TBC) Mr. Jozua Makes , Founder of Plataran Hospitality Group Ms. Laretna T. Adishakti , Lecturer and Coordinator of The Center for Heritage Conservation, Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada

The Tourism We Want - A conversation with Local Representatives

Ms. Melati Wijsen , Youth UN Envoy and Founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags Mr. Kadek Fendi Wirawan , Marine Biologist & Scientific Diver, Representative from Indonesian Coral Reef Garden Mr. Agung Suryawan Wiranatha , Head of Centre of Excellence in Tourism, Udayana University in Bali, Coordinator of the INSTO Observatory in Sanur (Bali) Mr. Sugeng Handoko , Secretary of Nglanggeran Tourism Village Management – BTV 2021 Mr. I Wayan Budiarta , Representative from Panglipuran Tourism Village, Bali Mr. Juan Kartika Sitepu , Representative from Tangkahan Village, North Sumatera (TBC)

UNWTO Affiliate Members: Breaking the ground in private-public partnership

Moderator: Mr. Juan Daniel Solana Alonso , General Director, Basquetour

Welcome Remarks by Mr. Ion Vilcu , Director, Affiliate Members Department, UNWTO

Mr. Ruben Hattari , Director Public Policy – SEA, NETFLIX Ms. Beth Potter , CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Mr. Steven Liew , APAC Policy Director, AirBnb Mr. Lee Sang Hoon , Executive Director of International Tourism & MICE, Seoul Tourism Organization Mr. Ion Vilcu , Director, Affiliate Members Department, UNWTO Q&A

Conclusion & Closing

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili , Secretary-General of UNWTO

H.E. Mr. Sandiaga Uno , Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia

H.E. Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb , Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

World Tourism Day Dinner -(by invitation only)

Magical Bali, Wonderful Indonesia - Technical Tour

The official World Tourism Day celebration will be held in Bali, Indonesia, on 27 September , highlighting the shift towards tourism being recognized as a crucial pillar of development.

• General Information Note  
• Concept Note  

Zurab Pololikashvili

Read more  

António Guterres

Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno

3 actions you can take to # rethinktourism.

Find everything you need to celebrate World Tourism Day, including social media images, graphics and animations.

Save the date for World Tourism Day 2022!

Share your personal experiences and journeys to showcase the transformative power of tourism.

Need some inspiration?

Check out some of unwto's projects to restart a greener, smarter and safer tourism, world tourism day 2022 events.

* The designations employed in this section of the website do not imply the expression of any opinions whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, España

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Spare a thought for weather watcher Maureen Sweeney who made the right call for D-Day

This image taken from family video in June 2015, shows Maureen Sweeney. Sweeney was a postal clerk at Blacksod Point on the northwest coast of Ireland, where one of her duties was to record data that fed into weather forecasts for the British Isles. In early June 1944, Sweeney sent a series of readings that helped persuade Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe, to delay D-Day and avoid potentially disastrous weather that could have wrecked the landings. She didn’t learn of her role in history for more than 10 years. (Fergus Sweeney/Family Handout via AP)

This undated family handout photo shows Maureen Sweeney. Sweeney was a postal clerk at Blacksod Point on the northwest coast of Ireland, where one of her duties was to record data that fed into weather forecasts for the British Isles. In early June 1944, Sweeney sent a series of readings that helped persuade Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe, to delay D-Day and avoid potentially disastrous weather that could have wrecked the landings. She didn’t learn of her role in history for more than 10 years. (Family Handout via AP)

• Copy Link copied

VER-SUR MER, France (AP) — Along with the generals and the paratroopers, the pilots and the infantrymen, spare a thought for the young Irish woman who may have played the most important role of all in making the D-Day landings a success.

Maureen Sweeney was a postal clerk at Blacksod Point on the northwest coast of Ireland, where one of her duties was to record data that fed into weather forecasts for the British Isles.

In early June 1944, Sweeney sent a series of readings that helped persuade Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe, to delay D-Day and avoid potentially disastrous weather that could have wrecked the landings. She didn’t learn of her role in history for more than 10 years.

“It’s something to remember for a lifetime,” Sweeney told her grandson in an interview filmed before she died last December. “It’s the only time they ever noticed our forecasts. The one that counted. And set the world alight.”

As D-Day loomed, Eisenhower faced a dilemma.

Almost 160,000 troops had gathered on the south coast of England in preparation for the long-awaited invasion that was scheduled for the early hours of June 5. The ships that would deliver them to the beaches were already warming up their engines. And 12,000 aircraft were ready to pound the Nazi defenses and provide air cover for the landings.

But the success of Operation Overlord depended as much on the elements as military might.

D-Day had been set for June 5 because it offered the right combination of low tides, full moon and, Eisenhower hoped, good weather to give Allied forces the best chance of smashing through the Nazi’s “Atlantic Wall” with a minimum of casualties.

As the appointed hour approached, however, Allied meteorologists were still arguing about the weather.

While U.S. Army Air Force experts forecast that good weather would continue, Britain’s Meteorological Office predicted high winds that could swamp landing craft and thick cloud cover that would hamper air operations.

Relying on readings Sweeney took at Blacksod Point, the Allies’ chief meteorologist, a Scot named James Martin Stagg, finally told Allied commanders that the weather would be unfavorable on June 5.

Eisenhower delayed the landings.

“It was the weather that worried the Supreme Commander most,” author John Ross wrote in his book “The Forecast for D-Day,” published in 2014.

“If he gave the word to ‘go,’ and the weather turned sour, the lives of thousands of men and massive amounts of equipment and supplies would be lost,” Ross added. “Worse yet, the Germans would have learned beyond any doubt where the Allies planned to invade,” eliminating the advantage of surprise.

Operating in an era before Doppler radar and high-speed super computers, Allied meteorologists had to rely on hand-drawn maps, historical data, and spotty weather observations to put together their forecasts.

That’s why Blacksod Point, about 500 miles (800 kilometers) from Normandy on the extreme northwestern edge of Ireland, was so important.

While Ireland had been an independent country since 1922 and remained neutral throughout the war, it continued to share weather readings with Britain’s Met Office, which used the data to produce forecasts needed by Irish farmers and fishermen. But after war broke out, British authorities asked for the readings to be taken every hour, instead of every six hours.

Sweeney was on the midnight to 4 a.m. shift on June 3, her 21st birthday, when she recorded a drop in the barometric pressure. She telegraphed the readings to Dublin, which sent them on to London, then didn’t think much more about it.

But a few hours later, the phone rang and a “squeaky voiced Englishwoman” asked whether the readings were correct. She read off the data and hung up, only to get two more calls seeking confirmation of her readings.

For Stagg, the data from Blacksod confirmed his forecast that a low pressure system would move in from the Atlantic, bringing high winds and thick clouds to the Normandy coast on the night of June 4 and into June 5.

But Sweeney still had another part to play in D-Day.

At 1 p.m. on June 4, she recorded a slight increase in barometric pressure.

That helped Stagg forecast another change in the weather, and later that day, he told Eisenhower that he expected the winds to die down and the clouds to abate in time for a landing on June 6.

The invasion was a go.

“Well, Stagg, we’re putting it back on again,” Eisenhower told his chief forecaster, according to Stagg’s book, “Forecast for Overlord,” Ross said. “For heaven’s sake, hold the weather to what you’ve told us and don’t bring us any more bad news.”

Sweeney didn’t learn about the part she played in history until 1956, when Ireland’s meteorological service gave her a copy of the data that informed the D-Day weather forecasts, her grandson, Fergus Sweeney, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

She died on Dec. 17 at a nursing home near Blacksod. She was 100.

“I think she she would be very proud that she did her job diligently that night because of what followed, and I think she would maybe try and remind us all that if we don’t stop the madness, we could be back at another Normandy,” Fergus Sweeney said.

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A Death Row Prisoner Tells of Living Through a Botched Execution

At 73, Thomas Creech is one of the few people to have survived a failed attempt at executing the death penalty. Now he waits to see if the state will try again.

By Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs

Thomas Creech had been imprisoned in Idaho for nearly 50 years, convicted of five murders in three states and suspected of several more, when he was wheeled into an execution chamber in February.

For nearly an hour, medical workers at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution outside Boise struggled to insert an intravenous line that was needed to pump a deadly drug into his bloodstream. Starting with his arms, then his hands and finally his legs, they tried and failed to get a needle into a suitable vein. The proceedings were called off.

“The worst ones was when they got down to my ankles,” Mr. Creech said in his first interview since the bungled procedure. “I was thinking the whole time that this is really it. I’m dead. This is my day to die.”

The prisoner, 73, is the most recent survivor of a botched execution, part of a troubling trend at prisons across the United States as they face a challenging combination of untrained executioners, difficulty in securing lethal drugs and an aging death row population.

In the interview, Mr. Creech described what it was like to endure the repeated needle jabs, knowing that any of them — if successful — could mean he would be dead within minutes. He described fear, pain, and his commitment to keeping his focus on his wife, who was sitting just a few feet away in the witness room, behind a glass panel.

In the last five years, there have been at least nine botched executions in five states, most of them involving execution team members failing to access a vein, according to the Death Penalty Information Center . In at least one case, executioners were finally able to access a prisoner’s vein and complete the execution only by cutting into his arm. In others, the executions were abandoned.

Experts have said execution team members may struggle to find a suitable vein because of a lack of experience or because of factors like a prisoner’s age, weight, health and previous drug use.

Many states have also had difficulty acquiring lethal drugs necessary for executions. As problems mounted, Alabama executed a man earlier this year using nitrogen gas — a first in the United States — though that, too, led to claims that the prisoner suffered .

Mr. Creech, who is considered a serial killer and is one of the longest-serving death row prisoners in the country, has offered conflicting accounts about his crimes over the years. At one point, he testified that he had killed as many as 42 people, some of them on behalf of a motorcycle gang or as part of a Satanic religious ritual. Later, he took back many of those supposed admissions and said he had been put up to the claims by a fame-seeking lawyer.

More recently, and in his interview with The Times, he has said that he believed he had killed seven people. He claimed that he was in the throes of drug abuse at the time and that his victims had all been involved in a gang-rape of his former wife, who later died by suicide.

On the books, though, he has been convicted of five murders, including the fatal beating of a fellow prisoner, David Jensen, in 1981, for which he was sentenced to death.

At a meeting of the Idaho Commission on Pardons and Parole this year, Mr. Jensen’s relatives said his death had left a painful void in their lives, and they urged the commission to keep Mr. Creech’s death sentence intact, which it did.

Mr. Creech has now spent decades on death row, where he met his current wife, LeAnn Creech, the mother of a prison guard. Mr. Creech said he started writing to her after the guard encouraged him, and the couple married in 1998.

He said it was his wife’s face that he tried to focus on as he lay on the execution table. A few weeks earlier, he and his lawyers said, the prison warden had taken him into the execution chamber to show him what would happen, pointing out where his wife and stepson would be sitting. Mr. Creech said he understood that the warden was trying to help him, but that he had found the tour to be “terrorizing” and was unable to think of anything else in the days that followed.

On the night before the execution, he ate a last meal of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy from the prison kitchen, and met with his lawyers, wife and stepson to say goodbye.

The next morning, he prayed with a spiritual adviser and then was strapped to a board inside his cell in the death row unit known as F Block. The board was placed on a cart, which was then rolled into the execution chamber. Part of his body was covered with a sheet.

Mr. Creech recalls looking over to his wife, through the glass, and trying to tell her that he was sorry. Then he remembers the execution team starting with his right arm and failing to find a usable vein. They moved on to his right hand, his left hand and then his ankles.

The team spent about 42 minutes trying to insert an IV line before the execution was called off, according to Mr. Creech’s lawyers.

The director of Idaho’s prison system, Josh Tewalt, said at a news conference afterward that prison officials had done the right thing by stopping the execution.

“We, from the very beginning, try to be very candid and upfront that this isn’t a do-it-at-any-cost process,” he said. “Our first objective is to carry this out with dignity, professionalism and respect. And part of that was training and practicing for the chance that they were unable to establish IV access.”

Mr. Creech and his lawyers do not know who was on the three-member team that was trying to insert needles, and prison officials routinely refuse to identify executioners. One of Mr. Creech’s lawyers, Deborah Czuba, said that the team was made up of three men in blue scrubs who all wore white “mask-like hoods” and goggles that obscured their faces. She said that the lead member of the team announced each step, but did not speak further. Medical ethics guidelines tell doctors not to participate in executions, though some still do.

Though she has represented other clients who have been executed, Ms. Czuba said Mr. Creech was the first whose attempted execution she witnessed. She said she believed that the procedure had a devastating mental health effect on everyone who saw it, including the execution team members. And for Mr. Creech, she said, that trauma will be particularly acute.

“I don’t think it’s something you get beyond,” she said. “I think it’s that scarring, mental-health-wise. It just really devastates a person in a way they can’t come back from.”

The needle jabs stung a bit, Mr. Creech said, but it was his wife’s distressed expression that has stayed in his mind. “That look on her face tore my heart out,” he said.

When the execution was called off just before 11 a.m., Mr. Creech said, he had trouble believing that he had really survived. In fact, he said, he still does.

“I thought maybe I might already be in the afterlife,” he said. “Even now, today, I stop and I have to catch myself and think, ‘Am I really dead? I was supposed to be dead on the 28th of February. Am I really dead, and this is part of the afterlife? Continued punishment for my sins that I’ve committed?’"

He said he has had nightmares ever since that day. In one, he is watching helplessly as his wife is put on the execution table instead of him. In another, he is brought back to the execution chamber and strapped down for a second attempt.

The latter scenario may become a reality, though prison officials have not yet said whether they plan to seek another death warrant to execute him.

Mr. Creech’s lawyers have asked a judge to nullify his death sentence, arguing that it would be unconstitutional to execute him after already subjecting him to one botched attempt, asserting that doing so would be both “cruel and unusual” and constitute double jeopardy.

The prisoner who was executed with nitrogen gas in Alabama, Kenneth Smith, survived a botched lethal injection before the state tried again with the novel method.

For now, Mr. Creech remains in his cell, waiting to hear whether he will be taken back to the execution chamber next door for another attempt, and wondering whether he would prefer a firing squad. Idaho approved use of that execution method last year, joining several other states including South Carolina and Oklahoma. But no state has used it since Utah carried out an execution by firing squad in 2010.

“I’ve thought before that if they had that, I would probably choose the firing squad,” he said. “Because unless they’re really bad aims, they’re not going to miss.”

In a recent court filing, Mr. Creech said he often sits in his cell and stares at the prison block next door — the one with the execution chamber — and loses track of time.

“One day, I lost 45 minutes that way,” he said — almost as long as he had spent in the chamber on the day he was supposed to die.

Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs reports on national stories across the United States with a focus on criminal justice. He is from upstate New York. More about Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs