The Dicastery for Evangelization has published a message on the occasion of the 47th World Tourism Day, to be held on September 27, reflecting on the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation in the tourism sector, while calling for these technologies to remain at the service of the human person and the common good.
World Tourism Day will address the impact of artificial intelligence
The message, signed by the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, has been published on the occasion of the upcoming World Tourism Day, whose theme this year will be “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
The Holy See notes that the technological transformation currently experienced by society is not merely an economic or technical phenomenon, but raises questions related to human dignity, culture, and interpersonal relationships.
For this reason, the document invites reflection on the role that new technologies will play in the future of tourism and on the ethical criteria that should guide their development.
References to the teachings of Leo XIV
Throughout the text, Fisichella cites Pope Leo XIV on several occasions, especially his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, in which the Pontiff addresses the challenges posed by technological development.
As the document recalls, the Pope has noted that technology can promote education, healthcare, communication, or the care of creation, but it can also generate new forms of exclusion or inequality.
Likewise, Leo XIV has warned of the need to assess the consequences that artificial intelligence may have on the human capacity to access truth, beauty, wonder, and contemplation.
The opportunities offered by digitalization
The message acknowledges that artificial intelligence can bring significant benefits to the tourism sector.
Among these, it mentions the possibility of facilitating access to travel and tourism services for people with disabilities, improving the promotion of the cultural heritage of local communities, and contributing to a more sustainable management of visitor flows.
It also highlights the potential of these tools to reduce the environmental impact associated with tourism and to promote a more balanced distribution of resources.
In this regard, the Dicastery considers that technology can become a useful instrument for promoting inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability when developed according to appropriate ethical criteria.
The risks of tourism dominated by algorithms
Alongside the opportunities, the Vatican identifies various risks associated with the growing digitalization of the sector.
One of these is the possibility that the tourist experience may be conditioned by algorithms that limit the capacity for personal discovery or reduce travel to a consumer product designed according to previously calculated preferences.
The document also warns about the phenomenon of digital exclusion, which can affect those who lack access to new technologies or live in regions with lower connectivity.
Another concern expressed by the Holy See is the massive use of personal data. According to the message, the collection and analysis of information about travelers requires protection mechanisms that guarantee respect for freedom, privacy, and fundamental rights.
For this reason, Fisichella considers it desirable to have clear regulatory frameworks that govern the use of artificial intelligence in this field.
Preserving the human dimension of travel
In the final part of the document, the Dicastery for Evangelization recalls that tourism arises from the human desire to know other peoples, cultures, and realities.
Although it acknowledges the advantages offered by digital tools, it insists that no technological innovation can fully replace the experience of personal encounter, contact with other traditions, or the contemplation of natural and artistic beauty.
For this reason, the message invites institutions, businesses, and pastoral agents linked to tourism to preserve the human, cultural, and spiritual dimension of travel.
The Holy See concludes by noting that artificial intelligence can contribute to transforming tourism in the coming years, but stresses that technological development must always remain at the service of the person and respect the inherent dignity of the human being.