Theology of Tourism: Foundations & Functions

Shortly after the emergence of the consequences of the growth of tourism in human societies, this modern industry has been widely resorted to by researchers from various angles. An overview of the literature on the subject of tourism shows that various sciences, including economics, sociology, environment, as well as religious studies, ethics and theology, have sought to respond to the challenges of the tourism industry, consistent with sustainable development criteria. This research is a theological reflection of the tourism phenomenon in the constructive-interpretation paradigm, following a qualitative-exploratory approach with an analysis of the type of understanding, and a content analysis methodo The researcher attempts to answer the main question of the research – the church’s solutions to the tourism problem. By examining and analyzing the contents of the pope’s statements, as well as the few theologians who have addressed this issue, church’s encounter with the tourism industry can be seen in three general approaches: militant approach, mediocre approach, and empathic approach. The church is getting closer to the present day, showing more sympathy in its face with tourism. It is only in this approach that discourse is formed between the tourism industry and theology, In the sense that the struggle of traditional theology with tourism and the church’s rise to find a suitable solution in this regard, he urged him to reconsider his approaches and was inspired by a circular papacy, to the point where tourism was not a threat, but It was considered a new opportunity for the church. This new look at the church led to the emergence of a new theology called the Theology of theology, a theologian who has been able to make a clear connection with the cultural view of the phenomenon of tourism.