“While the world faces serious conflicts and tensions based on social, cultural, ideological and other differences, it has been argued that tourism can be a vital force for world peace by bridging the psychological and cultural gaps that exist between people.” This was the opening sentence of the first research study I contributed in 2008, Innocents Abroad, as a Master’s Student at Arizona State University with my colleagues and mentors, Gyan Nyaupane and Victor Teye.

Our 2008 study, along with my subsequent research, travels to 115 countries, experience as an educator at Middlesex University Dubai (with students from over 120 nationalities), and advocacy for international study abroad and service learning, have all affirmed that tourism transcends industry—it is a powerful human connector and a vital force for peace.

Today’s World Tourism Day 2024 theme is "Tourism and Peace" and António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, message highlights “the profound connection between tourism and peace. Sustainable tourism can transform communities – creating jobs, fostering inclusion, and strengthening local economies. By valuing and preserving cultural and natural heritage, it can help reduce tensions and nurture peaceful coexistence. Tourism can also promote economic interdependence between neighbours, encouraging cooperation and peaceful development. At the same time, tourism broadens horizons. Every traveller can be an ambassador, engaging respectfully with local populations, recognizing our diversity and shared humanity, and the values that unite us all. As we celebrate tourism, let us travel responsibly, build bridges, and promote mutual respect among cultures and nations. Together, we can harness the power of tourism to advance peace and prosperity for all.”

In recognition of WTD2024’s theme of "Tourism and Peace", I would like to reflect briefly on some of the research and collaborations I’ve been privileged to engage in over the past 16 years that align with this theme and the Secretary-General’s message.

A critical aspect of ensuring that sustainable tourism can transform communities is recognizing the inherent trade-offs and the impact on community well-being. In our study A Quantified Triple Bottom Line for Tourism: Experimental Results, co-authored with Timothy Tyrell and Vernon Biaett, we emphasized the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental sustainability by demonstrating a conceptual approach for measuring the importance of these dimensions of community quality of life influenced by the tourism industry. Our research highlighted that while tourism can generate significant economic benefits, it is equally important to consider the social and environmental impacts and the value of these for the local community. Sustainable tourism practices must prioritize the well-being of host communities, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably.

Sustainability is also at the heart of tourism's future, particularly in addressing its environmental impacts and the fundamental challenges to peace including climate change. Our study on the Environmental Impact of Urbanization, Bank Credits, and Energy Use in the UAE—A Tourism-Induced EKC Model, a collaboration led by Sudipa Majumdar, revealed the significant environmental challenges posed by the rapid growth of the tourism sector. We highlighted the importance for the UAE “to balance tourism targets and sustainable economic growth by adopting 'green' standards and boosting investments in clean energy technologies." The findings of our analysis also clearly pointed to a positive future trajectory, with the UAE making substantial progress in integrating sustainable practices into its urban development and tourism strategies. These initiatives by the public and private sectors in the UAE demonstrate a shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable tourism. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that tourism continues to thrive without compromising the environment.

Tourism plays a central role in national branding, soft power, and diplomacy. In the UAE, this has been articulated in the country’s soft power strategy that places an emphasis on the development of tourism, the promotion of values like tolerance and diversity, the celebration of culture and heritage, investments in international education, humanitarian support, and the hosting of global events such as EXPO 2020 and COP28, all showcasing the country’s commitment, values, and opportunities on a global stage. In a study in 2018, Soft Power and Place Branding in the United Arab Emirates: Examples of the Tourism and Film Industries, led by Donya Saberi, we highlighted the Soft Power potential of tourism for the UAE. By promoting cultural heritage, attracting tourists, and fostering international collaborations, countries can enhance their global standing while contributing to a broader narrative of peace and cooperation.

While governments engage in diplomacy, meaningful peace is often best cultivated through person-to-person exchanges, where hosts and guests become ambassadors of mutual understanding. The potential for tourism to serve as a catalyst for peace is particularly compelling when we consider the involvement of young people. Young people, particularly students, embody this potential, their study abroad experiences shaping them into future leaders who advocate for a more peaceful and interconnected world.

Students engaged in international study abroad and international exchanges are not merely tourists; they are global citizens in the making. Through firsthand cultural experiences, they develop a deepened understanding of the world, fostering a sense of global responsibility and empathy. By investing in youth through educational tourism, we can cultivate a generation committed to peace and mutual understanding, laying the groundwork for a more harmonious global society. In our past studies, my colleagues and I have contributed insights to the tourism literature on the attitude formations and changes, motivations, expectations, and experiences of international study-abroad students (see Nyaupane, Teye & Paris, 2008; Nyaupane, Paris & Teye, 2010; Nyaupane, Paris & Teye, 2011; Paris, Nyaupane & Teye, 2014; Balasubramanian, Ajayan & Paris, 2021).

However, the organization, people, and experiences that have most attuned me personally to the power of tourism for peace is Amizade (now AllPeopleBeHappy). Amizade, for 30 years, has been committed to connecting, inspiring, and improving the lives of individuals and communities through global service-learning experiences and sustainable development projects. Fair Trade Learning (FTL), a sector-changing ideal pioneered by Amizade, provides a framework for transparency, community-driven service, commitment and sustainability, deliberate diversity, intercultural contact, community preparation, local sourcing, reciprocity, and reflection. Contributing to the articulation of the Fair Trade Learning principles, which emerged from the efforts of a global community of educators and changemakers, was an incredible honour. Together with Eric Hartman and Brandon Blanche-Cohen, we introduced these principles in the tourism literature in the article Fair Trade Learning: Ethical Standards for Community-Engaged International Volunteer Tourism. Ensuring that interactions between tourists and host communities are rooted in respect and equity, Fair Trade Learning (FTL) prioritizes “reciprocity and mutual benefit, community-driven development, transparency, and sustainability. It explicitly engages the global civil society role of educational exchange in fostering a more just, equitable, and sustainable world." Adhering to these principles, we can ensure that tourism not only promotes understanding but also advances social justice and sustainable development.

As we celebrate World Tourism Day 2024, it is evident that tourism, when practiced with a focus on ethical engagement, sustainability, and cultural exchange, holds immense potential to be a powerful force for global peace. As a traveler, educator, and tourism scholar, I am deeply committed to advancing this vision. But achieving a more connected, sustainable, and peaceful world through tourism requires a collective commitment from all of us—travelers, educators, policymakers, and communities alike. Together, we can bridge individuals and nations, fostering understanding, respect, and cooperation that transcends borders.

Stuart Kirkham