But with the dawn of a new year, and confidence returning, the industry is slowly but surely finding the ways and means to get back on their feet. People, it seems, will travel, no matter what.

Where should our faith be, in the midst of these turbulent times? I advise everyone, whether they are in the tourism industry or not, to take time out to read a recent document issued by the Church, or more specifically, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, entitled ‘Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of Tourism.’

This is not the first time the Church has addressed this issue. It first did back in 1969 - but an update was sorely needed as tourism since then has become a global phenomenon that has greatly expanded*, thanks to the development of business travel and an explosion of FITs (free independent travellers) and more diversified niche markets, such as eco-travel, adventure travel and spa trips.

The document offers some interesting insights into the spiritual aspects of travel. It is broadly categorised into three sections: The Reality of Tourism Today, Pastoral Objectives and Pastoral Structures.

Free your time, and the rest will follow

The first section looks not at the industry but at the modern and affluent individual traveller and his need for rest and relaxation during his free time. Touring, the document contends, is one of the means of achieving “rest”.

However, there are many other obvious objectives for tourism, such as: to commune with nature in other places, a desire to learn more about other peoples and cultures in a direct way, and to attend special events and celebrations. As a result, tourism today has become a major money-spinner and developer for many societies (just think of the billions of dollars a country brings in by hosting events like the World Cup and the Olympics).

And there is where many problems begin. We may have heard horror stories of how tourist activities destroyed, interfered with or abused local environments, culture and practices, much like how that Coke bottle thrown off an airplane wrecked the lives of a simple African tribe in the movie, The Gods Must Be Crazy. Pope John Paul II, in a prelude to this document, spoke out against “mass tourism” that does not integrate itself with local cultures and the worst aspects of tourism, notably sex tours and exploitation of local peoples and environments to cater to man’s base instincts.