Vatican
City, 11 July 2013 (VIS) – A communique was published this morning
by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant Peoples to mark the occasion of the 2013 World Tourism Day.
The full original text is given below:
“On
September 27, we will celebrate World Tourism Day, following the
theme suggested for this year by the World Tourism Organization:
'Tourism and water: protecting our common future'. This is in line
with the 'International Year of Cooperation for Water', that was
proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations, during the
International Decade for Action 'Water, source of life' (2005-2015),
in order to highlight 'that water is critical for sustainable
development, especially for environmental integrity and eradication
of poverty and hunger, it is essential for the health and well-being
of human beings, and is fundamental to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals'.
“The
Holy See also wishes to join in this commemoration, bringing its
contribution from its own perspective, aware of the importance of the
phenomenon of tourism at the present time and the challenges and
opportunities it provides to our mission of evangelization. This is
one of the economic sectors with the largest and fastest growth in
the world. We must not forget that last year it was exceeded the
milestone of one billion international tourists, to which we must add
the even higher figures of local tourism.
“In
the tourism sector, water is of crucial importance, an asset and a
resource. It is an asset because people feel naturally drawn to it,
and there are millions of tourists seeking to enjoy this natural
element during their days off, by choosing as their holiday
destination some ecosystems where water is the most specific element
(wetlands, beaches, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, islands, glaciers or
snowfields, just to name a few), or trying to grasp its many benefits
(especially in seaside resorts or spas). At the same time, water is
also a resource for the tourism industry and it is essential, among
other things, to hotels, restaurants and leisure activities.
“Looking
at the future, tourism will be a real benefit if it will be able to
manage these resources according to the criteria of the 'green
economy', an economy whose environmental impact is kept within
acceptable limits. We are invited, therefore, to promote ecotourism,
environmentally friendly and sustainable, that can surely promote the
creation of new jobs, support the local economy and reduce poverty.
“There
is no doubt that tourism plays a fundamental role in preserving the
environment, by being one of its great ally, but also a fierce enemy.
If, for instance, in order to achieve a quick and easy economic
profit, the tourism industry is allowed to pollute a place, this
location will cease to be a popular destination for tourists.
“We
know that water, key to sustainable development, is an essential
element for life. Without water there is no life. 'However, year
after year the pressure on this resource increases. One out of three
people live in a country with moderate to high-water shortages, and
it is possible that by 2030 the shortage will affect almost half of
the world’s population, since its demand may exceed the supply by
40%'. According to UN data, about one billion people have no access
to drinking water. And the challenges related to this issue will
increase significantly in the coming years, mainly because it is
poorly distributed, polluted and wasted, or priority is given to
certain incorrect or unjust uses, in addition to the consequences of
climate change. Tourism also is often in competition with other
sectors for the usage of water, and not infrequently it is noted that
water is abundant and is wasted in tourism structures, while for the
surrounding populations it is scarce.
“The
sustainable management of this natural resource is a challenge for
the social, economic and environmental order, but especially because
of the ethical nature, starting from the principle of the universal
destination of the goods of the earth, which is a natural and
original right, to which it must be submitted all the legislation
relating to those goods. The Social Doctrine of the Church highlights
the validity and application of this principle, with explicit
references to water.
“Indeed,
our commitment to preserving creation stems from recognizing it as
God’s gift to the whole human family, and from hearing the
Creator’s calling, who invites us to preserve it, aware of being
the stewards, not owners, of the gift He gives us.
“Concern
for the environment is an important topic for Pope Francis, who has
already made many references to it. In the very mass of the
inauguration of his Petrine ministry he invited us to be 'stewards of
creation, of God’s plan written in nature, the guardians of the
other, of the environment; let us not allow' he said, 'that signs of
destruction and death accompany our journey in this world', recalling
that 'everything is entrusted to the custody of man, and it is
everyone’s responsibility'.
“Stressing
even more this calling, the Holy Father stated during a General
Audience: 'Cultivating and preserving creation is a directive of God
given not only at the beginning of history, but to each one of us; it
is part of his plan; it means allowing the world to grow responsibly,
transforming it to be a garden, a living place for all .... Instead
we are often driven by pride of domination, of possession,
manipulation, exploitation; we do not 'preserve' it, do not respect
it, do not consider it as a free gift to care for. We are losing the
attitude of wonder, contemplation, listening to creation'.
“If
we foster this attitude of listening, we can discover how water
speaks to us also of his Creator and reminds us of his story of love
for humanity. Regarding this, it is eloquent the prayer for the
blessing of water, that the Roman liturgy uses both at the Easter
Vigil and in the Ritual of baptism, where it is recalled that the
Lord used this gift as a sign and remembrance of his goodness:
Creation, the flood that puts an end to sin, the crossing of the Red
Sea that delivers from slavery, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan,
the washing of the feet that turns into the precept of love, the
water pouring out of the side of Christ Crucified, the command of the
Risen Lord to make disciples and baptize them ... are milestones in
the history of Salvation, in which water takes on a high symbolic
value.
“Water
speaks of life, purification, regeneration and transcendence. In the
liturgy, water manifests the life of God shared with us in Christ.
Jesus himself presents himself as the one who quenches our thirst,
from whose breast rivers of living water shall flow, and in his
dialogue with the Samaritan woman he says: 'whoever drinks of the
water that I will give will never thirst'. Thirst evokes the deepest
yearnings of the human heart, his failures and his quest for
authentic happiness beyond himself. And Christ is the one who gives
the water that quenches the thirst within, he is the source of
rebirth, the bath that purifies. He is the source of living water.
“For
this reason, it is necessary to reiterate that all those involved in
the phenomenon of tourism have a big responsibility for water
management, in order for this sector to be effectively a source of
wealth at a social, ecological, cultural and economic level. While we
must work to fix the damage already done, we should also encourage
its rational use and minimize the impact by promoting appropriate
policies and providing effective ways, aiming at protecting our
common future. Our attitude towards nature and the mismanagement of
its resources cannot burden others as well as future generations.
“Therefore
more determination from politicians and entrepreneurs is necessary,
because, although all are aware of the challenges made by the issue
of water, we are conscious that this willingness should be put into
practice with binding, specific and verifiable commitments.
“This
situation requires above all a change of mentality leading to adopt a
different lifestyle marked by sobriety and self-discipline. We must
ensure that tourists are aware and reflect on their responsibilities
and the impact of their trip. They must be convinced that not
everything is allowed, although they personally carry the economic
burden. We need to educate and encourage the small gestures allowing
us not to waste or pollute the water and, at the same time, help us
appreciate even more its importance.
“We
share the Holy Father’s concern to take 'all the serious commitment
to respect and preserve creation, to be responsible for every person,
to oppose the culture of waste, to promote a culture of solidarity
and encounter'.
“With
St. Francis, the 'Little Poor' of Assisi, we raise our hymn to God,
praising him for his creatures: 'Praised be to you, my Lord, for
sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and
pure'”.
