ABSTRACT
SUMMARY. The article provides a review of the expansion of the concept of security and the relationship of security to tourism. It is argued that the concept of security has become transformed from one of collective security and common defence to embrace notions of common and co-operative security. Despite the damage done to the concept of collective security because of the United States led invasion of Iraq, the development of common security structures through collective, multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations remains important for the expansion of security concerns to cover the environment, health and economic threats. The article also notes that tourism and supranational tourism organizations have little influence on peace and security agendas although such agendas are important for tourism. Nevertheless, particularly at the micro-level, appropriate tourism development may serve as a means to
KEYWORDS. Collective security, common security, environmental security, tourism security, invasion of Iraq
Security is a concept that is, at present, central not just to tourism but to the wider world. This is not just a result of the events of September 11th 2001 and the terrorist attacks which occurred in the United States but is also the result of major shifts in American foreign policy, and the consequent American-led invasion of Iraq, ongoing concerns regarding the armed expression of religious and political fundamentalism, and fears for economic and personal health and well-being. These security concerns not only affect individual tourism decision-making but also have a broader influence on economic and political confidence, which in turn affects the wider environment within which the tourism industry operates and in which individual destinations are perceived.
