Aiming to reinforce the role of leisure at the centre of the society, the World Leisure Organization has announced that World Leisure Day 2025 will be celebrated internationally on 16th April.
Introducing World Leisure Day, World Leisure Organization (WLO) Communication and Events Coordinator, Dr Mireia Iglesias advised “in these uncertain times, it is more necessary than ever to acknowledge the importance of leisure playing key role in individual and community developments, contributing to the quality of life and well-being, enhancing social relationships, and often becoming a space for expression and engagement.”
Calling on cities and regions to officially join the World Leisure Day, Dr Iglesias explained how it will be a “unique day” that will “build bridges between people and city activities”.
World Leisure Day will offer the opportunity for various formats to be used to highlight the importance of leisure, in all its forms: recreation, sport, tourism, arts, culture and education.
More and more cities and regions are officially joining the World Leisure Day to create a unique day and build bridges between people and city activities.
Activities can be in-person or virtual, depending on the organisation or group.
Click here for more information.
World Leisure Congress 2025
The WLO is also counting down to its 18th World Leisure Congress, being held at the Breda University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands from 25th to 28th August with the theme 'Leisure for a Better Society'.
Promoting the Congress the WLO advised "we define three different vantage points that give our theme focus and relevance: a social perspective, an economic perspective, and a sustainability perspective.
"These three perspectives serve as binding elements and as an organising principle throughout the congress program."
The Congress brings together leisure professionals from all around the world, academia, government, and industry to promote informative, stimulating, and challenging discussions on the latest issues in leisure.
Click here for more information in our industry Calendar.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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