With the development of civilization people started sharing their contentment, sorrows, inventions and accomplishments. Human instinct for curiosity and search led to the birth of tourism which removed differences between cultures, ethnic groups, religious groups, values and lifestyles, and languages.
Mahatma Gandhi described travel as ‘The Language of Peace.’ Gandhiji realized the importance of attaining freedom through non –violence and travelled all over India to develop a sense of personal touch among the populace and succeeded in achieving freedom through peace.
The scene of promoting cultural understanding, mutual respect and peace via travel and tourism, gives an incredible opportunity to strengthen cross-border relations.
Tourism as a peace tool intends to reduce root causes that create situations where violence has been perceived as inevitable. Most of the countries are in the process of promoting peace and establishing brotherhood with neighboring countries with the view of exchanging ideas and values. Tourism truly acts as a vehicle for mutual understanding through cultural exchange and promotes peace dialogue at national and international levels. Effort by stakeholders is required to reduce the negative impacts of tourism and use tourism as a tool, media, passport, channel for peace to avoid another terror attack in the country in future and promote volun-tourism, wedding tourism, black tourism and mourning tourism.
By: Neepa Premodh