Tourism and Peace: A message of hope for World Tourism Day 2024

By Francesca Merlo

World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on 27 September. Ahead of the celebration this year, on the theme “Tourism and Peace”, the Dicastery for Evangelisation has released a message, highlighting the connection between precisely those two things: tourism and peace.

In the message, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the pro-Prefect of the Dicastery, underscores the essential role that cultural exchange through tourism can play in fostering peace. “The cultural exchange between peoples, which finds a privileged form in tourism, can also turn into a concrete commitment to peace,” he says.

The devastating impact of war

In light of this, Archbishop Fisichella acknowledges the devastating impact of war on tourism, warning that “the absence of tourists creates an additional expression of poverty among the population that loses a necessary form of livelihood to live with due dignity”.

It is for this reason, continues Archbishop Fisichella, that the Dicastery for Evangelisation seeks to contribute to the spread of the peace message, especially among those working in the tourism sector.

He then extends his gratitude to the many priests and laypeople dedicated to enhancing tourism and pilgrimages, despite the challenges posed by security restrictions. He encourages them to “open themselves to new paths, keeping alive the possibility that the pilgrimage routes to countries that traditionally hold the richness of our faith and history will soon resume.”

Pope Francis’ support

The message for World Tourism Day also reflects on Pope Francis’s advocacy for a culture of encounter. Archbishop Fisichella writes that “the interest that moves millions of tourists can be easily combined with the commitment to brotherhood, thus creating a network of ‘messengers of peace,’”, echoing the Pope’s call for an “adequate and authentic openness to the world... with the capacity to open up to the neighbour, in a family of nations”.

Turning then to the upcoming Jubilee in 2025, Archbishop Fisichella notes that the Holy Year, starting with the opening of the Holy Door, holds special significance, as it will allow millions of pilgrims to experience the jubilee indulgence, carrying with them the hope of peace and reconciliation.

Bringing his letter to a close, Archbishop Fisichella notes that as the world faces ongoing conflicts and challenges, the call for peace resonates more than ever. Once again he echoes Pope Francis’ words when he asked, “Is it too much to dream that the weapons will be silenced and stop bringing destruction and death?”

With this in mind, Archbishop Rino Fisichella concludes his letter by emphasising that “tourism and peace united with hope become the compelling message for this World Tourism Day 2024, for those who are operators in tourism and for those who undertake the journey with feelings and desire for serenity and harmony.”