The Role of Niche Tourism in Social Cohesion, Justice and Peace with a Perspective of Cross-Border Tourism

OpenAlex · İngilizce

This chapter explores the role of cross-border tourism in fostering social cohesion, justice and peace. Historically, tourism activities have been shaped by governmental boundaries, with border cities hosting diverse forms of tourism including shopping and medical tourism. Cross-border tourism plays a pivotal role in promoting economic development, facilitating cultural exchange and engaging in participatory peacemaking efforts, thereby fostering harmony and collaboration between partitioned countries. The chapter conducts a systematic literature review to critically examine the current state of knowledge and identify research gaps concerning the impact of cross-border tourism on social cohesion, justice and peace. Following rigorous guidelines set forth by Petticrew and Roberts (2008) and Kitchenham et al. (2009), this review comprehensively analyses peer-reviewed journal articles to address key research questions. The findings underscore the significance of inclusive, equitable and cooperative tourism initiatives in bridging divides between communities and nations. By synthesizing existing literature, this chapter not only consolidates insights but also proposes a research agenda aimed at advancing understanding of how cross-border tourism can contribute to sustainable development and peaceful societies. Future research directions include exploring longitudinal impacts, interdisciplinary intersections with sociopolitical factors and leveraging technology for enhanced cross-border cooperation in tourism.