September 27 - World Tourism Day

Today, September 27, the whole world celebrates Tourism Day. This is a professional holiday for tour operators and travel agencies, as well as a favorite celebration for all travel lovers. The General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization established it in 1979.

A little history: the world's first travel agency was opened by a traveler Thomas Cook - not a relative, but a nameplate of the famous James Cook - in 1841. He also organized the world’s first group tourist trip, renting a train from a railway company for the “alcohol-free” movement of 570 workers along the picturesque route between the cities of Leicester and Loughborough in Leicestershire. After that, Cook’s clientele grew by leaps and bounds, and he acquired the title of “inventor of tourism”.

Today is World Maritime Day. The international holiday was initiated by the United Nations and has been celebrated since 1978. The celebration has two main objectives: to improve maritime safety and to prevent marine pollution.