On September 27, Tbilisi hosted the annual international forum on the occasion of World Tourism Day. Georgia hosted that UN forum for the first time.

The event was attended by high-ranking guests from more than 40 countries, tourism ministers, representatives of international organizations and tourism professionals. Turkmenistan was represented by a delegation led by the head of the tourism department of the Ministry of Culture.

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze and Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili addressed the audience.

"Tourism and Peace" is the main theme of this year's World Day. The event included discussion panels, discussions of global tourism development trends and the importance of peace in terms of industry development.

As noted, tourism could play a vital role as a catalyst for promoting peace and understanding between nations and cultures and in supporting reconciliation processes.