In its message for World Tourism Day, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples notes that growth in this sector represents “a challenge to all the sectors involved in this global phenomenon: tourists, businesses, governments and local communities and, of course, the Church too. The billion tourists should necessarily be considered above all in their billion opportunities.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples released a message ahead of World Tourism Day, which will be observed on 27 September, on the theme ‘One billion tourists, one billion opportunities’.

In the document, the Council notes that tourism “can be an opportunity, indeed, one billion opportunities for building roads to peace too. Encounter, exchange and sharing favour harmony and understanding”, as long as everyone performs his or her duty “in precise actions that range from specific, coordinated legislation down to simple everyday actions, passing through appropriate educational programs and sustainable and respectful tourist projects. Everything has its importance, but a change in lifestyles and attitudes is necessary and surely more important. “Christian spirituality proposes a growth marked by moderation and the capacity to be happy with little (Laudato si’, No. 222).”

Such growth represents “a challenge to all the sectors involved in this global phenomenon,” the message said, namely “tourists, businesses, governments and local communities and, of course, the Church too.” Hence, “The billion tourists should necessarily be considered above all in their billion opportunities.”

“In his latest Encyclical, Pope Francis invites us to approach nature with ‘openness to awe and wonder” and to speak ‘the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world’ (Laudato si’, No. 11). This is the right approach to adopt with regard to the places and peoples we visit. This is the road to seizing a billion opportunities and making them bear even more fruits.”

A “billion tourists, if well received, can become an important source of well-being and sustainable development for the entire planet. Moreover, the globalization of tourism leads to the rise of an individual and collective civic sense. Each traveller, by adopting a more correct criterion for moving around the world, becomes an active part in safeguarding the earth. One individual's effort multiplied by a billion becomes a great revolution.”

Tourism also represents a billion opportunities for the Church. “First of all, it is important for the Church to accompany Catholics with liturgical and formative proposals. She should also illuminate those who during the experience of traveling open their hearts and ask themselves questions and in this way make a real first proclamation of the Gospel. It is essential for the Church to go forth and be close to travellers in order to offer an appropriate and individual answer to their inner search. By opening her heart to others, the Church makes a more authentic encounter with God possible. With this goal, hospitality by the parish communities and the religious formation of tourist personnel should be enhanced.”

Finally, tourism is “One billion opportunities also for the environment: ‘The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God’ (Laudato si’, No. 84). Between tourism and the environment, there is a close interdependency. The tourist sector, by taking advantage of the natural and cultural riches, can promote their conservation or, paradoxically, their destruction. In this relationship, the Encyclical Laudato si’ appears to be a good traveling companion.”

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