Peace Through Tourism Developments

Right now, there are tens of American thousands of "war tourists" (notably but not exclusively American servicemen "visiting" the Middle East), and civilian tourists have sometimes been the victims of political strife. Yet the concept of linking tourism and peace is a noble and idealistic one that deserves support.

The fourth annual International Institute of Peace Through Tourism Africa conference takes place May 20-25 in Kampala, Uganda. If the images from "The Last King of Scotland" remain seared in your brain, it astonishing and encouraging to read that Uganda's President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in his keynote address announced that his government will introduce Tourism Legislation in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals that link sustainable tourism with peace and the alleviation of the desperate poverty in which so many people around the world are mired.

In making the announcement, the President said, ”The role of the law in the sustainable development of tourism and poverty alleviation is critical. The legislation should enshrine policies that are pro-poor and underpin a coherent institutional framework and supportive infrastructure for the private sector....I specifically would like to sign legislation that empowers the local communities to take advantage of the opportunities to benefit from tourism and enshrine the principles of sustainable tourism development. Finally, as we grapple with the challenges of tourism development, we should not loose focus of the pre-condition of peace in fostering the growth of the travel and tourism industry. I wish to reaffirm my government’s commitment to the entire pacification of the country, to the maintenance of law and order, the provision of support infrastructure and sound economic management principles to facilitate the growth of the tourism industry.”

The IITP reports that, "The 4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism, being organized in partnership with the Africa Travel Association (ATA), World Bank Group and UN World Tourism Organization and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), will be hosted by Uganda - the Pearl of Africa. The Conference will seek to broaden awareness of the social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits of tourism; identify new markets; facilitate product development and investment opportunities; and contribute to reconciliation, peace, wealth creation and poverty reduction on the African continent."

The millennium hasn't started out very well, peace-wise, but any effort is better than no effort -- particularly when it takes root in a country with a history like Uganda's.