Introduction

This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of both the concept and the reality of conflict, particularly in the context of its impact on tourism. It argues that the relationship between conflict and tourism is both direct and complex, with most tourism avoiding conflict-ridden areas, but the evidence and memory of past conflicts become strong attractions for tourism throughout the world. It notes that the situation is complicated by the varying goals and objectives of agencies such as destination management organizations and the images that different governments wish to promote of existing and potential tourism destinations. The chapter then explains and elaborates on the structure of the book, beginning with conceptual issues and links with other concepts and theories involving tourism. This is followed by a review of chapters dealing with tourism in ongoing conflict areas and then tourism in post-conflict destinations, including the relationship of tourism in these areas to issues of dark tourism and Phoenix tourism.