Lagos, Nigeria-based Kazeem Balogun wrote:
Introduction:
Global tourism, for certain, has immense potential to achieve unity and lasting peace by promoting human understanding. To achieve this, humanity must be intentional by doing away with specific factors that have served as barriers to fostering global inclusivity. It is, however imperative to outline practical solutions that can leverage tourism as a catalyst for global peace:
1. Visa Elimination
Solutions: A total tourist visa removal would create global peace and harmony.
Steps to Take:
Global Partnership: Countries in other regions of the world could emulate the European Schengen Model, which allows citizens of member states to travel freely. The same goes for the ECOWAS region in Africa. These two regions have eliminated visa regimes, and unity has actually prevailed in both climes, which has also facilitated regional economic growth.
Digital Solutions: UN Tourism should develop an e-system that allows global tourists to apply for entry clearance online without bureaucracy and delay. However, the system must also include a monitoring mechanism while at the destination to ensure the security of the tourists and the host destinations.
2. Building of Infrastructure to support free
Movement:
Solution: Develop integrated transport systems and accommodations to make tourism more accessible for would-be tourists.
Steps to Take:
Transportation Networks: Invest in cross-border train and flight routes that connect major tourist destinations. Europe is an example, where tourists travel seamlessly across countries. ECOWAS should also emulate this to perfect the existing system rather than build new roads.
Affordable Lodging: Countries must encourage budget-friendly accommodations like hostels and Airbnb for international tourists. A good example is Japan’s capsule hotels, which cater to budget tourists.
Accessible Tourism for All:
Building accessible infrastructure for disabled travelers, including wheelchair ramps, audio guides, and transportation.
3. Supporting Tourism Diplomacy :
Solution: Use tourism as a tool for diplomatic relations and conflict resolution
Steps to Take:
Peace Tourism Initiatives:
Peace tourism projects are being developed in post-conflict regions to rebuild trust and unity. A good example is Rwanda’s gorilla tourism, which is celebrated yearly during Twita Izina, the gorilla naming ceremony. This has helped the country recover from the post-genocide era, and the world can replicate this great initiative to build peace.
Joint Tourism Campaign:
Countries with historical or political tensions can create joint tourism packages to bridge divides. An example is The India-Nepal Buddhist Circuit, which has encouraged collaboration and mutual understanding.
Bilateral and Multilateral Conference :
Organizing forums where countries discuss the role of Tourism in promoting peace. For example, The Nigeria-Benin Tourism Forum.
4. Addressing Global Challenges :
Solution: Tackle barriers such as risks, safety concerns, and climate change to ensure the sustainability of free movement.
Steps to Take:
Health Protocols: We should develop health certifications for tourists, something like COVID-19 vaccination cards, especially in over-tourism spaces like Pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia and others.
Safety Assurance: It’s important to encourage safety measures to tackle terrorism and crimes against tourist areas. An example was that of the terror attack in Grand Bassam and Algiers some years back.
Climate Action: We should also encourage green practices, such as carbon offset programs for flights, like those the United Arab Emirates is currently activating.
5 Leveraging Technology to Bridge Gaps:
Solution: Utilising Digital platforms to connect tourists with diverse destinations and simplify the travel process.
Steps to Take:
Virtual
Tourism: Develop virtual tours to introduce destinations to potential travelers. Google Arts and Culture offers 360-degree virtual tours of historical landmarks.
Digital Wallets:
Implement global digital payment systems to ease international tourists’ transactions. Paypal, Alipay, and other tourist-focused payment systems are examples of such systems available at destinations’ hotspots worldwide.
Implementation :
If we implement these practical solutions, tourism can become a vehicle for unity and lasting peace in the world by allowing free movement, cultural understanding, equitable economic benefits, and sustainable practices that transform tourism into a powerful force for global peace and harmony.