The Global Code of Ethics of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, the organiser of the World Tourism Day (WTD), says 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.”
The theme of yesterday’s WTD, namely ‘Tourism and community development’, seemed to have its roots precisely in this call on both realities, namely tourism and local populations, 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 Catholic Church’s social teaching, which is ‘integral human development’, as it is through this latter term that one truly understands and interprets the former. Moreover, development cannot be restricted to economic growth alone, because to be authentic it must be well rounded.
A message issued by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples on the occasion of this year’s WTD contends that tourism can contribute to the broader concept of integral human development by aiming to be sustainable and respectful in three areas: economic, social, and environmental in its ecological and cultural context.
Tourism is a key driver of economic development, given its major contribution to GDP (up to five per cent worldwide), employment (eight per cent of jobs) and export of services (30 per cent). Moreover, the world is currently experiencing a diversification in the number of destinations, as anywhere in the world has the potential to become a tourist destination.
These circumstances are encouraging the Church to view tourism as one of the most viable and sustainable options to reduce poverty in the most deprived areas since, properly developed, it can be a valuable instrument for progress, job creation, infrastructure development and economic growth.
Tourism can contribute to integral human development
Indeed, tourism could be one of the sectors with the most capacity to generate a wide range of ‘creative’ jobs with greater ease, namely jobs which could benefit the most disadvantaged groups, including women, youth or certain ethnic minorities.
The Holy See’s advisors regarding migrants and itinerant peoples consider it 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.
They also see it 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.
Of course, the benefits of a tourism promoting ‘community development’ cannot be reduced to economics alone. There are other dimensions of equal or even greater importance. These include cultural enrichment, opportunities for human encounter, the promotion of mutual respect and tolerance, the collaboration between public and private entities, 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.
The Church is not limiting itself to using its social teaching to 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.
Recognising the potential of the tourism industry in many parts of the world, the Church is also seeking to set up simple but effective projects. Indeed, there are a growing number of Christian associations organising responsible tourism to less developed destinations, as well as to promote the so-called ‘solidarity or volunteer tourism’ which enable people to put their vacation time to good use on a project in developing countries.
From the local point of view, it is very encouraging to see this ‘new face’ of tourism gaining ground in the Christian community, especially among the young, mainly through ‘vacations’ in the service of deprived people in poor countries.
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