Candelaria, Valle, to Host the 2025 World Travel Journalist Day

The World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO) has announced that this year’s official celebration of World Travel Journalist Day will take place in Candelaria, Valle del Cauca (Colombia), positioning this municipality as the international epicenter of tourism-focused communication.

The choice of Candelaria as host city reflects its growing significance as a cultural and heritage destination, as well as its commitment to strengthening travel journalism in the region. The event will bring together communicators, academics, and professionals from the sector to share experiences and insights on the role of journalism in promoting destinations and building sustainable tourism.

World Travel Journalist Day is celebrated every year on September 5th, honoring the work of communicators who shed light on the identity of territories and travel experiences. The 2025 edition will feature tours, awards, and cultural activities that will allow Candelaria to project itself internationally as a host city for knowledge-based tourism.

With this designation, Candelaria joins the list of cities around the world that have been recognized as global hosts of this commemoration, reinforcing Colombia’s leadership in the promotion and professionalization of travel journalism.

Origin and Declaration of World Travel Journalist Day

World Travel Journalist Day was officially established in 2018 by the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO) with the goal of recognizing and raising awareness of the work carried out by communication professionals specializing in tourism.

The chosen date, September 5th, coincides with the 8th International Congress of Travel Journalism and symbolizes the commitment of travel journalists to promoting the culture, history, identity, and heritage of destinations, as well as their role in fostering more responsible and sustainable tourism.

Since its inception, the day has been celebrated annually with international activities, conferences, and gatherings hosted in various cities across the globe. Each edition seeks to strengthen the global network of travel journalists and highlight their contribution as cultural mediators between destinations and travelers.