The Threat of Tourism: Challenge to the Church

The Threat of Tourism looks behind the glossy advertising of exotic locations, highlighting a number of issues that are becoming increasingly acute: tourism's contribution to ecological damage, forced changes in cultures, violation of human rights, and the growth of the global sex industry. The church, too, has had to deal with tourism issues. Historic sanctuaries are suffering irreparable wear and tear, and Christians in developing countries are seeing their customs under threat. The World Tourism Organization upholds a code of ethics for tour operators, and a code of conduct for touristsfirst drawn up thirty years ago by the Christian Conference of Asiais now widely used. The author reflects on principles of a moral approach to tourism: "If we travel with an attitude of respect for people and the environment, plus recognition of the economic and social rights of those visited, we have covered most of the critical situations which will arise."