Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

UNWTO launches International Handbook on Tourism and Peace

UNWTO launches International Handbook on Tourism and Peace
February 6, 2014

Providing a unique overview of tourism as a tool in peace building and reconciliation efforts, the 'International Handbook on Tourism and Peace' has been was launched by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) with the support of the Government of Austria.

The Handbook offers a comprehensive collection of perspectives on tourism and peace from leading international specialists with topics ranging from sustainable development and conflict resolution to eco-tourism and heritage preservation and includes several case studies.

Commenting on the launch of the publication, UNWTO Secretary Taleb Rifai stated that "the fundamental experience of tourism visiting a new place and meeting its people and culture - is a transformative aspect that defines tourism's role as an agent of peace. In this age of travel, I trust that this Handbook will help enhance our understanding of the subject and open up further possibilities to foster tourism as a valuable instrument for peace."

Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, Director General of the Austrian Ministry of Economy, which supported the project from the beginning, added "I am very pleased that an Austrian University is carrying out this project in cooperation with the World Tourism Organisation. This proves the internationally recognized competence of Austria in tourism and in the field of peace research."

The editors of the book, Cordula Wohlmuther and Werner Wintersteiner argue that there are different approaches to the complex topic of "tourism and peace" and that the handbook provides a good overview on this. Based on this diversity they conclude that aspects of "peace sensitive" tourism can be carved out and used by various tourism stakeholders and tourists, as well as international and development organisations.

The number of experts contributing both case studies and theoretical approaches makes the Handbook a unique and powerful contribution to the overall discussion about new pathways to peace.

Published by the Centre for Peace Research and Peace Education of the Klagenfurt University (Austria), in cooperation with UNWTO, within the framework of their joint 'Tourism and Peace' project, the publication aims to make a substantial academic contribution, while providing also relevant insights for the broader public in presenting tourism as a powerful tool within the international peace building agenda.

Tourism as a force for peace is reflected in the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics, a set of guidelines for the development of sustainable and responsible tourism, approved by the UNWTO General Assembly in 1999 and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2001.

For more information go to www.ethics.unwto.org/en/content/global-code-ethics-tourism

1st February 2014 - UN RESOLUTION RECOGNISES ECOTOURISM AS KEY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

24th September 2013 - WORLD TOURISM DAY TO FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER