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INTERVENTION BY THE HOLY SEE STATEMENT BY MSGR. PIERO MONNI* Monday, 20 October 2003
I would like to extend, from the Holy See, greetings to this important
Assembly of the World Tourism Organization. This is a fundamental step in the
history of the Organization because the World Tourism Organization has proposed
to become a Specialized Institution of the United Nations. The themes chosen for this Assembly generate a thorough reflection on the
present state of the world of tourism and of its ethical, social and economic
potentiality. The phenomena of tourism has always been a vehicle of values, such as respect
for personal dignity and fundamental personal rights. It builds a culture of
hospitality and of reciprocal understanding. It contributes to the awareness and
appreciation of different cultures from around the world. The Church operates in the world of tourism so that ethical values will
always be present in this sector. The Church also reminds us that attention is
to be given to the priority of human beings in every social phenomena, so that
even through tourism their cultural and spiritual aspirations can be reached. Tourism is also an efficient instrument to combating poverty and it
represents an important instrument to social and occupational growth. However,
it is a sector that is extremely sensitive. It is vulnerable to wars, terrorism,
natural disasters and epidemics. Recent calamities have determined an important
crisis in the international tourism market. China is just now coming out of the SARS (atypical pneumonia) emergency. The
diffusion of this illness determined a moment of crisis even for the
ever-growing Chinese tourism market, and for the international tourism market.
On this subject, I would like to mention the Holy See’s goodwill towards the
Chinese Government and the Chinese people for having overcome the difficult
circumstances in which they found themselves. Nevertheless, the tourist industry is an industry gifted with an enormous
capability of comeback. The flow of tourists decreases in some periods of time,
but sooner or later the desire to travel again returns. The phenomena of
"tourism" prevails and will always prevail on the attention of Governments,
Institutions and of Mass Media. The energy in-born in man’s mobility always finds a solution for the limits
imposed. International tourism has seen an authentic boom in the last ten years,
especially towards exotic and far away places. Benefiting from this are not only
the countries less integrated in the world economy but also the rich ones. Tourists appreciate cultural and religious values that nowadays can be found
together with the search of natural environments and cultures that have not been
contaminated. China presents all these elements of attraction and fascination. In this context, tourism gathers the expectations and the hope of those who
see in it a great source of energy. An energy that is capable of increasing the
economic development of various Countries. The Holy See wishes for this Assembly, which has been organized in a Country
rich in tradition and civilization, to leave traces of a positive period for
serene dialogues for a renewed increase in development of values of truth,
liberty and justice. It is in this atmosphere of loyal and reciprocal understanding that tourists
can enjoy excellence, and professional quality in the services offered, capable
of revealing complete liberty of thought, which is the pride of modern
civilization. Thank you for your attention! *L'Osservatore Romano 27-28.10.2003 p.2.
L'Osservatore Romano. Weekly Edition in English n.46 p.5.
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