"Peace and tourism is what we have been doing in the rural territories, it was the engine in the middle of despair, conflict and inequality"
Josefina Klinger - leader of ecotourism in Colombia
"With over one billion tourists travelling the world every year, tourism has become a worldwide social and cultural phenomenon that engages people from all nations as both hosts and guests. 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" (Center for Peace Research and Peace Education of the Klagenfurt University / Austria in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2014).
Tourism sector can contribute to peace and coexistence in territories that have been affected by the armed conflict in Colombia, territories with natural wealth and cultural diversity. These territories have been consistently increasing their income through this sector in recent years (more than 10%), even above growth rates in Latin America (5%) and the world (4%) (Lacouture, 2017).
With the aim of exploring the potential of tourism in peacebuilding in Colombia, this study designed a research-action-participation methodology to analyze the results of the design of the community strategy for peace and coexistence in Colombia. This study shows how the members of the tourism chain, and local public institutions of four regions with potential in tourism and peace, and the Vice Ministry of Tourism, built together a sustainable tourism strategy. The main hypothesis of the process is that these territories can replace the illegal and arms industry by tourism as an option for sustainable development, that is, economic growth, equitable and socially participatory and with environmental sustainability. These regions are: La Macarena in the Meta Department; Valle del Sibundoy and Mocoa in the Putumayo Department; Camino Teyuna in the District of Santa Marta; and the Gulf of Urabá in Chocó and Antioquia Departments.
The results were analyzed through a specific set of 15 indicators among these categories:
- Social equity
- Environmental sustainability
- Positioning of each destination as a tourism, peace and coexistence region
- Satisfaction of tourists
- Quality and formalization
The strategy's approach and governance scheme are collaborative, co-responsible and community-based. According Bruce Poon Tip, Managing Director of G Adventures: "…for tourism to be an instrument of peace it is necessary to include communities, provide decent work and build capacities". Increased investment in human capital and social capital is the key to the contemporary practice of tourism as a tool for development, which implies dynamic creation, exchange and knowledge management, supported by the fundamental role of institutions and governance (Fayos, 2014).
Centre for Peace Research and Peace Education of the Klagenfurt University / UNWTO (2014). International Handbook on Tourism and Peace. Austria: Drava.
Lacouture, M. (14 de Enero de 2017). El turismo puede crecer por encima del 10%. (P. E. Tiempo, Entrevistador)
Fayos, E. S. (2014). Tourism as an instrument for development : a theoretical and practical study. Department of Hospitality and Tourism, University of Wisconsin-Stout.
