VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 129
DATE 11-07-2014

Summary:
- MESSAGE FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY: HARMONY BETWEEN TOURISM AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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 MESSAGE FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY: HARMONY BETWEEN TOURISM AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
 Vatican City, 11 July 2014 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral
Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples today published its message for World
Tourism Day 2014. Organised by the World Tourism Organisation, its theme this
year is "Tourism and Community Development". The message is signed by Cardinal
Antonio Maria Veglio and Bishop Kalathiparambil, respectively president and
secretary of the dicastery.
 The text, published below in full, emphasises the link between community
development with the concept of full development characteristic of the social
doctrine of the Church, and highlights that human beings are the custodians,
not the owners, of creation. It refers to programmes for sustainable and
ethical tourism in disadvantaged areas and underlines the role that local
communities play in the defence and promotion of their natural and cultural
heritage, as well as the human and economic enrichment that responsible
tourism may offer to its protagonists, also favouring values such a mutual
respect and tolerance.
 "1. Like every year, World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27. An
event promoted annually by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the theme
for this year's commemoration is 'Tourism and Community Development'. Keenly
aware of the social and economic importance of tourism today, the Holy See
wishes to accompany this phenomenon from its own realm, particularly in the
context of evangelisation.
 In its Global Code of Ethics, the UNWTO says that tourism must be a
beneficial activity for destination communities: 'Local populations should be
associated with tourism activities and share equitably in the economic, social
and cultural benefits they generate, and particularly in the creation of
direct and indirect jobs resulting from them'. That is, it calls on both
realities to establish a reciprocal relationship, which leads to mutual
enrichment.
 The notion of 'community development' is closely linked to a broader concept
that is part of the Church's Social Teaching, which is 'integral human
development'. It is through this latter term that we understand and interpret
the former. In this regard, the words of Pope Paul VI are quite illuminating.
In his Encyclical Populorum Progressio, he stated that 'the development we
speak of here cannot be restricted to economic growth alone. To be authentic,
it must be well rounded; it must foster the development of each man and of the
whole man'.
 How tourism can contribute to this development? To this end, integral human
development and, thus, community development in the field of tourism should be
directed towards achieving a balanced progress that is sustainable and
respectful in three areas: economic, social and environmental. By
'environmental', we mean both the ecological and cultural context.
 2. Tourism is a key driver of economic development, given its major
contribution to GDP (between 3% and 5% worldwide), employment (between 7% and
8% of the jobs) and exports (30% of global exports of services).
 At present, the world is experiencing a diversification in the number of
destinations, as anywhere in the world has the potential to become a tourist
destination. Therefore, tourism is one of the most viable and sustainable
options to reduce poverty in the most deprived areas. If properly developed,
it can be a valuable instrument for progress, job creation, infrastructure
development and economic growth.
 As highlighted by Pope Francis, we are conscious that 'human dignity is
linked to work', and as such we are asked to address the problem of
unemployment with 'the tools of creativity and solidarity'. In that vein,
tourism appears to be one of the sectors with the most capacity to generate a
wide range of 'creative' jobs with greater ease. These jobs could benefit the
most disadvantaged groups, including women, youth or certain ethnic minorities.
 It is imperative that the economic benefits of tourism reach all sectors of
local society, and have a direct impact on families, while at the same time
take full advantage of local human resources. It is also essential that these
benefits follow ethical criteria that are, above all, respectful to people
both at a community level and to each person, and avoid 'a purely economic
conception of society that seeks selfish benefit, regardless of the parameters
of social justice'. No one can build his prosperity at the expense of others.
 The benefits of a tourism promoting 'community development' cannot be reduced
to economics alone: there are other dimensions of equal or greater importance.
Among these include: cultural enrichment, opportunities for human encounter,
the creation of 'relational goods', the promotion of mutual respect and
tolerance, the collaboration between public and private entities, the
strengthening of the social fibre and civil society, the improvement of the
community's social conditions, the stimulus to sustainable economic and social
development, and the promotion of career training for young people, to name
but a few.
 3. The local community must be the main actor in tourism development. They
must make it their own, with the active presence of government, social
partners and civic bodies. It is important that appropriate coordination and
participation structures are created, which promote dialogue, make agreements,
complement efforts and establish common goals and identify solutions based on
consensus. Tourism development is not to do something 'for' the community, but
rather, 'with' the community.
 Furthermore, a tourist destination is not only a beautiful landscape or a
comfortable infrastructure, but it is, above all, a local community with their
own physical environment and culture. It is necessary to promote a tourism
that develops in harmony with the community that welcomes people into its
space, with its traditional and cultural forms, with its heritage and
lifestyles. And in this respectful encounter, the local population and
visitors can establish a productive dialogue which will promote tolerance,
respect and mutual understanding.
 The local community should feel called upon to safeguard its natural and
cultural heritage, embracing it, taking pride in it, respecting and adding
value to it, so that they can share this heritage with tourists and transmit
it to future generations.
 Also, the Christians of that community must be capable of displaying their
art, traditions, history, and moral and spiritual values, but, above all, the
faith that lies at the root of all these things and gives them meaning.
 4. The Church, expert in humanity, wishes to collaborate on this path towards
an integral human and community development, to offer its Christian vision of
development, offering 'her distinctive contribution: a global perspective on
man and human realities'.
 From our faith, we can provide the sense of the person, community and
fraternity, solidarity, seeking justice, of being called upon as stewards (not
owners) of Creation and, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, continue to
collaborate in Christ's work.
 Following what Pope Benedict XVI asked of those committed to the pastoral
care of tourism, we must increase our efforts in order to 'shed light on this
reality using the social teaching of the Church and promote a culture of
ethical and responsible tourism, in such a way that it will respect the
dignity of persons and of peoples, be open to all, be just, sustainable and
ecological'.
 With great pleasure, we note how the Church has recognised the potential of
the tourism industry in many parts of the world and set up simple but
effective projects.

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