Conflict Resolution through Tourism Cooperation? The Case of the Partitioned Island-State of Cyprus

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Yorghos Apostolopoulos, Associate Professor (Creator)
Sevil Sonmez, Professor and Department Head (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Hostility and armed conflict can exist most easily in closed societies. Social science literature suggests that increasing contact among individuals from diverse groups creates an opportunity for mutual acquaintances, enhances understanding and acceptance among the interacting group members, and consequently reduces inter-group prejudice, tension, and conflict. International tourism has been recognized for the opportunities it provides for social contact to occur. This paper presents the conceptual framework for a more effective management of the intercommunal conflict on the island of Cyprus through tourism cooperation within the framework of the cooperation and inter-group contact theories. More specifically, the paper suggests how different groups of stakeholders can be instrumental in free tourist migration, joint tourism ventures, and tourism-based community interaction and collaboration between the Turkish-Cypriot north and the Greek-Cypriot south, and which in turn, may lead to an alternative–and more effective–solution to tension and conflict which has existed on the island for several decades.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 9(3):35-48
Language: English
Date: 2000
Keywords
Cooperative marketing, conflict resolution, cooperation theory, inter-group contact theory

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