ABSTRACT
The impact of tourism on the economic development of a nation has been a long-standing topic of inquiry within tourism analysis (for example Bull, 1995; Lundberg, 1980; Lundberg, Stavenca, & Krishnamoorthy, 1995; WTO, 1980a). Subsequently attention focused on the impact of tourism on the socio-cultural fabric of communities that are engaged with tourism (Smith, 1989; Lanfant, Allcock, & Bruner, 1995; MacCannell, 1992; Turner & Ash, 1975; for example). This article, however, investigates the possibility of tourism to contribute to the socio-cultural development of a nation and to foster social justice and reconciliation within a divided society. This chapter situates reconciliation tourism as a component of tourism as a force for peace. This discussion begins with a macro view of the international documents and codes agreed for at the international level, which are founded on the premise of tourism fostering peace and understanding; it then surveys examples from the international arena of tours for higher aims and provides a brief overview on the relevant literature to date. The focus then shifts to the Australian context where efforts have been exerted for achieving reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians since the 1990s. A case study of the Ngarrindjeri community's efforts through their tourism venture of Camp Coorong Race Relations and Cultural Education Centre will be utilised to assess the potential for tourism to contribute to the achievement of reconciliation in Australia as well as some of the obstacles in the path of this endeavour.
