ECOLOGICAL TOURISM, KEY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Pope about the twenty-third World Day of Tourism which will be celebrated on September 27 and whose theme is: "Ecological tourism, key to sustainable development."

John Paul II writes in the message dated June 24 that "intelligent tourism aims at valuing the beauty of creation and helps man to become close to it with respect, enjoying it while not altering its equilibrium."

"How can we deny," he asks, "that humanity today is unfortunately living an ecological emergency? A certain savage tourism has contributed and continues to contribute to such destruction, since tourist spots have been built without careful and respectful consideration of the environmental impact."

The Holy Father states that environmental imbalance reflects the consequences of decisions made according to particular interests, "that do not respond to the exigencies of the dignity of man. Frequently, the unbridled desire to accumulate riches prevails which makes it difficult to listen to the alarming cry of poverty of entire groups of people."

"Therefore, it is necessary to promote forms of tourism that are more respectful to the environment, more moderate in their use of natural resources and more cooperative with local cultures. They are forms of tourism with strong ethical impetus, rooted in the conviction that the environment is everybody's home and therefore, natural goods are meant for all those who live in it as well as for future generations."

After emphasizing that "ecological tourism" is sound in its principles, the Pope affirms that "we must be careful that it does not become distorted and that it does not turn into a means of exploitation and discrimination. If protection of the environment were promoted as an end unto itself, we would run the risk of seeing modern forms of colonialism born that would damage the traditional rights of resident communities in a given territory."

"In general, ecological tourism takes people to places, environments and regions whose natural equilibrium needs constant care in order not to become endangered. Therefore, studies and rigorous supervision that combine respect for nature as well as man's right to enjoy it for his own development must be carried out."

John Paul II concludes by especially addressing Christians, "so that they make tourism an occasion of contemplation and encounter with God, Creator and Father of all, and may they, in this way, be confirmed in service to justice and peace, in fidelity to He who has promised new heavens and new earth."

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