PAPAL MESSAGE FOR 22ND WORLD DAY OF TOURISM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2001 (VIS) - Published today was the Holy Father's Message for the 22nd World Day of Tourism, which has as its theme this year: "Tourism: A Means of Peace and Dialogue Between Civilizations." The Message, dated June 9, was published in Italian, Spanish, French, German and English.

In 1980 the World Tourism Organization (WTO) launched the celebration of an annual World Day of Tourism, and the United Nations determined that this should be celebrated every year on September 27. Prior to the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul always sent a telegram to the WTO. Last year was the first time that he sent a Message.

John Paul II writes in the 2001 Message that "the development of tourism, particularly cultural tourism, can undoubtedly benefit both visitors and host communities. ... In some places, however, mass tourism has produced a kind of sub-culture that degrades both the tourists and the host community. ... For the host communities, tourism often becomes an opportunity to sell so-called 'exotic' products: hence the phenomenon of sophisticated holiday resorts that are cut off from any real contact with the culture of the host country or that are marked by a 'superficial exoticism' ... offered to the curious who are eager for new sensations. Sadly, this unchecked desire leads at times to humiliating aberrations, such as the exploitation of women and children in an unscrupulous sex trade which is an intolerable scandal."

"Every possible measure must be taken to ensure that tourism never becomes a latter-day form of exploitation, but is instead a point of fruitful dialogue between different civilizations in which experiences are exchanged in creative ways."

The Pope states that "there is no doubt that, when properly oriented, tourism becomes an opportunity for dialogue between cultures and a valuable service to peace."

"Therefore, on this World Day of Tourism, I invite all believers to reflect on the positive and negative aspects of tourism in order to bear effective witness to their faith in this very important field of human experience."

The Holy Father writes: "Let no one succumb to the temptation of making free time a period of 'rest from values'. On the contrary, an ethic of tourism must be promoted. In this context, the World Ethical Code for Tourism merits attention. ... This document is an important step towards ensuring that tourism is seen not just as one among many economic activities, but as a privileged means for the development of individuals and peoples."

"A sound ethic of tourism influences the way tourists behave, fosters in them a spirit of solidarity, encourages them to make demands not only on themselves but also on those who organize their trip, and asks them to be agents of dialogue between cultures in order to build up a civilization of love and peace."
In concluding the Message, John Paul II affirms that "people living in tourist resorts should be guaranteed a proper involvement in planning tourist activity, so that the economic, ecological and cultural limits are clearly set out. It would also help if all the institutions of host countries aimed at ensuring that the tourist industry is increasingly at the service of persons and the community. Tourism will thus help to build solidarity among all people and enable civilizations to meet. It will contribute to understanding among individuals and nations, and it will play its part in building a peaceful future."

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