Churches to call for a more ethical tourism
-25/09/05
Although tourism can contribute to peace and justice in the world, its benefits and burdens are ìvery unequally sharedî according to World Council of Churches general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.
Kobiaís remarks come ahead of the official World Tourism Day on 27 September, when many church organisations will raise challenges for the tourist industry and governments over ecological balance and social responsibility.
Christian groups are claiming that the theme of the World Tourism Day 2005, ëTravel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st centuryí, tends to hide the real impact of the industry.
In a message released last week, the WCC chief said: ìThe tourism industry is dominated by a small number of enterprises focusing on high returnsî while ìmillions of women and children are abused, cultures denigrated and exploited, and workers underpaid.î
In searching for a more responsible way forward, the WCC has commended ìthe pioneering and cutting edge work of the Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism (ECOT) and outstanding church-related initiatives located in every region of the world.î
Declared Kobia: ìTravel can genuinely enrich peoplesí lives in encounters that safeguard the dignity of every person, respect multiple cultural identities, protect and promote the earth’s integrity and thus make tourism a way forward for global understanding.î
But he suggested that this is often not the case. ìECOT has shared stories showing how millions of women and children are abused, cultures denigrated and exploited, and workers underpaidî, says the ecumenical leader.
The Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism is particularly concerned that wild life is converted into a commodity for consumption.
Dr Kobia explained: ìSeas and rivers are often the victims of mega-tourism activities Ö that disregard the most elementary environmental standards while they callously throw wastes into the seas, dump garbage from cruise ships, and leave coastal communities to fend for themselves when all the damage has been done.î
Referring to the Asian tsunami nine months ago, the WCC general secretary said: ìDespite the many tall claims about reconstruction, and the millions of dollars being poured into tsunami aid, for too many people little has changed. Tens of thousands of people see little hope in their lives.î
He added: ìThe violence of tourism against nature, as can be witnessed in the destruction of mangroves, sand dunes, coral reefs, and coconut plantations, are all factors that contributed to the death of tens of thousands and the destruction of entire community resources.”
“Natural disasters reflect the imbalance in the relationship between people and nature. Churches have now the obligation to monitor what the tourism industry does in the post-tsunami reconstruction processes.”
The World Council of Churches brings together more than 340 churches, denominations and church fellowships in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world.
The Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism can be found here
Churches to call for a more ethical tourism
-25/09/05
Although tourism can contribute to peace and justice in the world, its benefits and burdens are ‘very unequally shared’ according to World Council of Churches general secretary, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.
Kobia’s remarks come ahead of the official World Tourism Day on 27 September, when many church organisations will raise challenges for the tourist industry and governments over ecological balance and social responsibility.
Christian groups are claiming that the theme of the World Tourism Day 2005, ëTravel and transport: from the imaginary of Jules Verne to the reality of the 21st century’, tends to hide the real impact of the industry.
In a message released last week, the WCC chief said: ‘The tourism industry is dominated by a small number of enterprises focusing on high returns’ while ‘millions of women and children are abused, cultures denigrated and exploited, and workers underpaid.’
In searching for a more responsible way forward, the WCC has commended ‘the pioneering and cutting edge work of the Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism (ECOT) and outstanding church-related initiatives located in every region of the world.’
Declared Kobia: ‘Travel can genuinely enrich peoples’ lives in encounters that safeguard the dignity of every person, respect multiple cultural identities, protect and promote the earth’s integrity and thus make tourism a way forward for global understanding.’
But he suggested that this is often not the case. ‘ECOT has shared stories showing how millions of women and children are abused, cultures denigrated and exploited, and workers underpaid’, says the ecumenical leader.
The Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism is particularly concerned that wild life is converted into a commodity for consumption.
Dr Kobia explained: ‘Seas and rivers are often the victims of mega-tourism activities Ö that disregard the most elementary environmental standards while they callously throw wastes into the seas, dump garbage from cruise ships, and leave coastal communities to fend for themselves when all the damage has been done.’
Referring to the Asian tsunami nine months ago, the WCC general secretary said: ‘Despite the many tall claims about reconstruction, and the millions of dollars being poured into tsunami aid, for too many people little has changed. Tens of thousands of people see little hope in their lives.’
He added: ‘The violence of tourism against nature, as can be witnessed in the destruction of mangroves, sand dunes, coral reefs, and coconut plantations, are all factors that contributed to the death of tens of thousands and the destruction of entire community resources.”
“Natural disasters reflect the imbalance in the relationship between people and nature. Churches have now the obligation to monitor what the tourism industry does in the post-tsunami reconstruction processes.”
The World Council of Churches brings together more than 340 churches, denominations and church fellowships in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world.