Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
inclusiveness and integration. As indicated in
Chapter 1, an economic survey in 1999 found
the then pre-accession states more suitable for
EU membership than two or three of the
incumbent EU15. The same might equally
apply in the field of social and cultural develop-
ment today.
Social unrest clearly has profound impli-
cations for tourism. Not only does it create a
temporary situation of insecurity and fear,
which can deter visitation across a wide
geographical area, it can severely damage the
long-term image of countries and regions.
Research has shown that the most productive,
economically prosperous and creative cities
are those with high levels of tolerance and
inclusion regardless of colour, ethnicity, class,
gender, ablement or sexual orientation (e.g.
Pritchard and Morgan, 2000; Florida, 2002).
In addition, it is often the case that minority
groups, as distinct 'communities', can and
have provided some of the most exciting new
developments in tourism (e.g. Caribbean
Carnivals, Asian
Mela
Festivals, China Towns,
'ethnoscapes', gay quarters) (e.g. Richards and
Hall, 2000). In fact, many such developments
are integral to the regeneration of former
industrial cities, a process that is becoming
widespread in Europe and is vital to the future
of many destinations (Smith, 2006).
The debate continues on where the (politi-
cal, psychological, social and cultural) borders
of Europe are and should be. European Union
membership may be viewed by outsiders as
something of a cosy club, despite extensive
enlargement. The EU is often perceived as
rather inward-looking, self-serving and overly
protectionist. Political and economic frame-
works can facilitate tourism development, but
it is arguably the social, cultural and environ-
mental policies that ultimately shape the future
of a healthier, happier and more integrated
Europe. These are still under-prioritized. None
the less, notwithstanding its ongoing difficul-
ties, the EU project is one of the most progres-
sive, democratic and exciting initiatives in the
world today. Most member states can only
benefit from their involvement, and tourism is
an integral part of Europeanization. This topic
has represented an opportunity to contribute
to this process and to the exchange of ideas,
not least through the medium of the ATLAS
networking organization, and we end by
identifying key themes for carrying forward
debate, both inside and outside the ATLAS
framework (Box 23.1).
Box 23.1.
Key themes for further debate.
The importance of continuity as well as change.
●
The problem of distinguising the impacts of tourism from other change processes.
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The ongoing role and impacts of low-cost airlines.
●
A continuing element of uncertainty concerning the 2004 accession (particularly relating to
Cyprus).
●
The uncertainty of future enlargement.
●
The significance of continuing Balkan instability linked to future enlargement.
●
The tourism significance of the EU's relationship with other supranational organizations such as
NATO.
●
The relatively miserly attitude within the institutions of the EU towards tourism, despite its
important economic and integrating role in Europe.
●
The interrelationships between different mobilities - tourism, migration, cross-border petty
trading and shopping, retirement and second homes - being influenced by the nature and role of
transport and transport infrastructures, and the role of internal and external borders.
●
Tourism and citizenship, and the nature, role and appropriateness of European identity.
●
The interrelationships between tourism, education and culture (and implicitly mobility).
●
The likely geographical consolidation of the EU in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions and
the emphasis this will bring to the important continuing role of mass tourism.
●
Climate change and the possibility of future constraints on fossil fuel-dependent travel.
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