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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