Citizen Diplomacy Through Peace Tourism

Abstract

Peace tourism is a niche form of tourist activity that, as its name suggests, is driven by an interest in peace. Peace tourism is a broad category of tourist activity that can have both positive and negative contributions to the host destination. This chapter explores the ways in which peace tourism enables individuals to satisfy this interest in peace by exercising citizen diplomacy. In doing so, it addresses a methodological gap in diplomacy research, which conventionally adopted a state-centric perspective and overlooked the political agency of the individual – and as such, the tourist. The chapter examines the ways in which citizen diplomacy is applied through peace tourism and whether it can positively contribute to sustainable peace within and beyond state boundaries. Using the case study of Israel/Palestine, this chapter identifies initiatives of citizen diplomacy through peace tourism and examines their impact using Anderson’s model of six levels to peace. The study’s findings show that citizen diplomacy through peace tourism can yield positive contributions to peace. The findings are discussed in reference to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, and specifically SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.