TOURISM AND THE PEACE PROPOSITION

The report is based on a 1995 investigation into the effectiveness of study tours offered by Community Aid Abroad in meeting its objectives. It examines the influence of the tours in encouraging the development of attitudes deemed conducive to more peaceful relationships among the world’s people. Participants in the study tours were surveyed to identify their sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, and any changes generated by the tour experience in their attitudes to travel in general, relationships with the Third World, foreign aid, and aid to deprived groups within Australia. They were also questioned on post-tour membership in and donations to aid and community organisations. In general, the tour product was successful in encouraging appropriate attitude development, but it is concluded that most participants merely confirmed previously held attitudes, and that, if tourism is to contribute to peaceful and harmonious relations among people, there is a need for organisations such as CAA to attract a wider market, or for travel organisers to adopt elements of the study tour, and other, approaches which enhance the quality of host-visitor interaction and the opportunities for people to learn about each other. Some recommendations to this end are provided. Published by the Educators' Network of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) (The IIPT Occasional Papers have been developed by members of the IIPT Global Educators' Network as resource material for educators, students and operators seeking to encourage forms of tourism which can contribute to the objectives of the Institute. There are no copyright restrictions on the use of the materials, but acknowledgment of the source is appreciated.) * Ian Kelly is a retired tourism educator who now works in an adjunct relationship with the University of South Australia. A former geographer, he has worked and studied in Britain, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia. He developed and ran tourism management courses at Monash and Swinburne Universities in Australia, and has been compiler and editor of the annual Australian Regional Tourism Handbook since 2001. He was appointed Coordinator of the IIPT Global Educators' Network in October 2005.