Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

VI World Conference on the Pastoral Care of Tourism

Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-8, 2004

“Tourism aimed at bringing peoples together”

Presentation

 1. The conference objective

The conference aims to provide, especially for leaders on the pastoral care of tourism from the various Bishops’ Conferences, an opportunity to reflect, jointly (we might say for the Universal Church), on current common circumstances that should be taken into account when planning such pastoral care in various countries.

Therefore the reflection of the conference is focused on:

 a) Current developments in tourism

 Tourism is currently the major industry of the world economy. By its nature, as it is directly aimed at people, it urgently reflects the coordinates that determine today’s economic and social processes. Above all, it comes within the scope of the globalisation movement and is at the centre of the debate on sustainable development. Tourism takes on vital importance with regard to the conflictual dialogue between rich and poor countries and the agenda issues of “Rio 92” (taken up at the 2002 Johannesburg Summit), and has a particular impact, amongst others, on protection of biodiversity, the rights of indigenous communities and the transfer of technical and scientific knowledge between countries. Also, among the international community there are increasing ethical requirements regarding tourism (see the WTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism).

 b) The Church’s pastoral care of tourism

 Tourism that respects the dignity of each person and pays attention to the spiritual aspect has always been put forward, expressed in accordance with the particular historical period. Moreover, the Church has always recognised the positive values of tourism and interpreted them in the light of the Revelation. Nevertheless, the frequently negative consequences of tourism - especially in developing countries - such as poor working conditions, sex tourism and environmental degradation, have been, and continue to be, a difficult challenge for many Christian communities and local Churches, regarding both receiving tourists and the pastoral orientation of Christians in the field of tourism.

 2. The conference proposals

 In the light of these reflections, the conference should contribute towards:

• stepping up and extending dialogue in the Church to universally reaffirm the positive values of tourism;
• identify the positive aspects that should orientate the pastoral care of tourism from the point of view of those “visited”, of whom the majority – if we’re referring to international tourism – are among the world’s poorest people;
• set out criteria for Christian practice of tourism, regarding the activities of tour operators and those who work in the sector;
• suggest parameters for greater Catholic collaboration in various movements and initiatives (WTO, governments, NGOs, associations) with a view to achieving tourism with a more human face.

3. Organisation of the conference

A practical aim should be to pay particular attention to the conference’s preparation. 

Therefore, during 2003, the conference themes should be studied at pastoral care of tourism meetings held in various countries and regions, and national directors should ask their collaborators to submit reports, studies and suggestions that contribute to the reflection of the conference.

The outcomes of the preparatory activities, transmitted to this Pontifical Council, will thus constitute an important basis for the conference agenda.

Finally, the Pontifical Council will give timely information on any documentation that might be useful in the preparatory work.

For participation at the conference, it is recommended - at the initiative of those in charge - that a representative delegation be formed for each nation consisting of members who, as far as possible, have taken part in the preparatory work. This Delegation should reflect the importance of the Pastoral Care of Tourism of each country. Furthermore to organize the Conference properly, it would be useful to inform us - as soon as possible - about the approximate number of delegates from your country.