Consultation asks Churches to critique unjust tourism structures MI SPECIAL
Published: 3:00 pm, November 30, 2013 Story By: Philip Mathew, mattersindia.com reporter Kolkata consultation Kolkata: Participants of an international consultation on “Theology of tourism” have urged churches and theological institutions around the world to analyze and critique unjust tourism structures and practices prevailing in the world. The consultation called them to critique tourism from the point of view of the subaltern and subsistence communities, indigenous people, women and children, the displaced and others on the margin, applying the Kingdom values of equality and equity. Twenty two participants from Zambia, Switzerland, Philippines, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Australia and India, attended the November 22-28 consultation organized in Kolkata by the Senate of Serampore (University) with the help of people and groups concerned about the negative impact of tourism. Caesar D’Mello, former director of Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism and one of the organizers of the consultation said that among the objectives of the consultation was to prepare and finalize a tourism curriculum that stimulated students to engage in transformative tourism that was formulated from the vantage point of the marginalized, such as subsistence communities, indigenous people, women and children. This will be a significant, long-lasting contribution to the teaching of theology in the Asian and worldwide church, he noted. Another objective of the consultation was to bring out a theological resource book that would provide a basis for theological exploration into tourism for theological students, teachers and curriculum planners. Among the 12 papers presented at the consultation was on “Theological education: A curriculum on tourism for ministerial candidate” by Dr Wati Longchar, dean of the Serampore University. He said that the objectives of the course, which is proposed to be called, “Mass tourism industry and marginal communities: A search for just tourism” will be, among others, to challenge and critique the nexus between the present profit-oriented paradigm of tourism industry, climate justice and survival of marginalized communities and to “provide a new ministerial, missiological and theological perspectives on alternative just tourism.” The consultation noted that global tourism is grouped among the four largest industries in the world — oil and fuels, arms and pharmaceuticals. With rising incomes, the number of leisure travelers is increasing, with a billion tourism arrivals in a year globally now, and heading towards 1.6 billion by 2020, the consultation said, citing the UN estimates. The consultation statement noted that “tourism involves both the relatively small number of those affluent enough to travel and the vast majority of human beings on whom that activity has a huge negative impact.” A structural analysis of mass commercial tourism in light of Christian social teachings makes it a pertinent theological focus for churches in the world, the consultation said. It added that as a major economic activity affecting human beings, and causing various forms of human suffering for so many in the Global South, tourism needs to be investigated, critiqued, and challenged on the basis of Bible teachings. “For Christians, no other response is adequate on the serious question posed by a universal reality in our times.” The consultation wanted the Church to study the potential of tourism as pilgrimage to stimulate an ethical engagement for mutuality, solidarity and a real discovery of human community, and to develop ways of empowering and sensitizing the church to advocate and promote just tourism. While the consultation acknowledged the existence of some positive forms of tourism that bring beneficial incomes, it felt that “overall a superficial and unquestioned construct regarding mainstream tourism persists that does not correspond with the reality of community, social, environmental and economic damage flowing from the endeavor.” Tourism, unlike other issues, has escaped the attention as a crucial justice and peace concern in theological and church responses, the consultation said adding that, “This may be because the majority of people in church and society are possibly co-opted into believing the widely propagated notion that tourism is a boon and tool of liberation for the poor.” The rationale for this comes from tourism being painted as smokeless, costless, clean and non-polluting, and a source for income, foreign exchange, employment, and fostering so-called understanding between peoples, the consultation noted. The consultation also said: “Mass tourism treats women as a service or commodity, which is in stark contrast to the countercultural attitudes and teachings of Jesus. Women and children are trafficked and they have little control over their situation brought about by the ruthless forces promoting sex tourism motivated by the lure of money. “Local and indigenous customs, rituals, sacred shrines, places of worship, sacred music, ceremonial dress, traditions, and handiwork are commercialized to take advantage of tourists. Musicians, dancers and other artists perform, exhibit and sell their creativity to earn some income, at the cost of their self-respect. “Tourism contributes to the worsening loss of bio-diversity. Tourism development can be self-destructive, as it destroys the very basis of existence. People depend on land, air, trees, water, plant, seas and rivers, and these are destroyed for promoting tourism. When nature is destroyed, it is the local people and communities who suffer. “Tourism is profit-driven by marketing the nature – the sun, sea, mountains, rivers and landscapes. Governments and tourism industry implement capitalistic models that benefit a few at the expense of the many. Devastating overcrowding at resort areas, beaches, increased pollution of rivers, lakes and seas, and increased deforestation destroy the bio-diversity which is a hallmark of creation. “Modern tourism requires a massive use of fossil fuels based energy for lavish hotels, air-conditioning, and constructing new airports. These activities are a prime source of carbon emissions and global warming, which will have serious effects on the people of the South.” The consultation stated that “All human beings are created in the image of God and are the subjects and not objects of creation. Any concept that pictures human beings as objects for enjoyment by commodifying them is a travesty of human values, and an insult to human beings. Modern tourism is centered on such an approach.” It also stated that, “Tourism needs to be prophetically challenged to understand that the earth and all its gifts are created by God, and belong to all, not just to the rich and the affluent, and to those who promote tourism or development that does not benefit the poor.” Courtesy: Matters India
