By Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — While tourism can broaden travelers’ horizons and improve local economies, it cannot be seen as being part of “sustainable development” unless it includes respect for workers’ rights, the local culture and the environment, said Cardinal Peter Turkson.
The U.N. General Assembly proclaimed 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, noted the cardinal, who is prefect of the Vatican office for integral human development.
In a message for the celebration Sept. 27 of World Tourism Day, Cardinal Turkson said that according to the social teaching of the Catholic Church, “true development cannot be restricted to economic growth alone. In fact, to be authentic, it must be well rounded; that is, it must foster the development of each man and of the whole man.”
The World Tourism Organization reported that in 2016, the number of international tourist arrivals was around 1.2 billion; one out of 11 jobs globally are in tourism.