Abstract

Tourism is a less observed subject in theological ethics. In traditional theological ethics tourism is only understood as escape from everyday's Iife or as an expression ofpeople finding to themselves away from their daily routine. Both of those ways of looking at the theme of tourism don't allow to Iook at the subject in a responsible way regarding all the consequences oftoday's tourism since it plays an important role in the economy with enormaus rates of growth. Those facts challenge theological ethics tagether with the people incharge of the tourist industry to find ways of how the rights of travellers and the rights of people in tourist countries are taken into account. The article tries to take up such a position. Quality seals for tourist places, taxes on petrol for aeroplanes and plans for regions are means to include tourism in a sustainable development. Looking at tourism in such a way can save jobs in tourist countries and contributes to a gain for the tourists at the same time. By that the article doesn't follow the arguments of social ethics that either judges the motivation of tourists or suggests holidays at home as an alternative to current tourism.