The long-term survival of the Tourism Industry is often put into question, regardless of the true list of variables, this will all depend on the overarching effects of sustainability and climate change. This includes the quality of air, water, and soil, and as a very human-dependent business with multidimensional activities which affect various service industries, we must think about this with much higher priority when making all kinds of decisions.
The Indian Tourism Industry has the potential to cement its place as a world player if there is more active engagement from central, state, and national governments, but along with it, private sectors, and voluntary organizations have to also become active partners in this endeavour to attain and achieve global sustainability standards while also making sure that sustainability within the business is also viable.
Sustainable development and peace are closely interlinked, the concepts of ‘traditional’ and ‘responsible’ tourism can contribute to peace-building in regions of conflict and make tourism a tool for peace.
The definition of ‘peace tourism’ consists of significant visits to places and educational associations with peace-making, conflict prevention, resistance, or non-violence and reconciliation issues. The funding and promotion of education, historical preservation, and awareness of Peace cities and related peace museums, monuments, and city peace trails would ensure the establishment of peace as a subject for local tourism and would stimulate peace tourism development. Recognition of peace tourism as an aspect of cultural and heritage tourism will also boost the industry as a whole.
Tourism has the power to discuss the global citizenship concept with a ‘Global Code of Ethics for Tourism’ which will help to motivate tourists and travellers and all stakeholders involved to be more responsible in their undertakings. As they can apply aspects of this Global Code of Ethics to their business, their jobs, and their private lives, that effectively turns into a personal code of responsibility. The Code of Conduct for tourism can be an informal but codified addendum to what the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights represents.
Strategy for systematic change, based on community involvement and co-governance of affected regions is just as important, as people struggle for survival and due to systemic issues and prejudice, people often are forced to resort to illegal activities during difficult times. Locals play an active role in the tourism development processes. The mental and economic empowerment will increase their self-confidence and self-esteem and help them slowly overcome trauma and make societies better.
Tourism can be a force for political stability and tourism should lead to peace-building and political stability. This is why a code of ethics and standards is important. We have partial examples from Cyprus, South Korea, and Ireland, to analyse the use of tourism as a tool for political stability and peace. Through an innovative approach, we can link tourism, peace, and political stability discourse to paradigms of international relations biggest obstacles for sustained contact between the conflicting parties besides physical boundaries.
The presence of war and unrest at a destination is a deterrent to most tourists and there are many examples of tourism destinations built on the heritage of past conflicts. War has no winners and History can teach us important lessons. It is just as important we record these complex histories and act as liaisons to guide future generations. Tourism is sensitive toward conflict but it can also be reactive towards peace.
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