Puzzling through paucity, privation and peace

Mind your Ps and Qs (24, Part 2)

Reread Part 1 for context.

Since the 2002 Capetown Declaration on Responsible Tourism, advancements on the sustainability front have been numerous. Why, then, are so few individuals fighting against a host of inequities and inequalities e.g. gender Equality in Tourism? As a form of `privation` (not to be confused with adversities associated with privatization), it is evident that inequities are a result of structural barriers, racism, sexism, discrimination, immigration policies, and gentrification, intensifying due to cancel culture and the current onslaught on DEI initiatives.

And yet diversity matters, equity matters, and inclusion matters (as supported by the WTTC and revealed in this missive from Germany). Each is a missed opportunity and a necessity. No reversal of DEI initiatives will erase these truths, though that`s not to say that concerns don’t exist. They do and can be corrected, but it will necessitate `a calling in` and a sympathetic revenge rather than a strident `calling out`, if we truly want to, understand the other…a basic role for tourism's practitioners as they utilize disapproval and disappointment as a powerful driver of change.

Whether referenced through multicultural or intercultural policies, most governments support tourism as a means of achieving economic prosperity through mutual understanding and social harmony among nations and peoples of the world. The two are deemed complementary and should go hand-in-hand (as this example from Sri Lanka purports). But is it so?

As an embrace of tolerance and a desire to improve relationships, interactions, cultural appreciation, and coexistence, 1986, the International Year of Peace, became a memorable year as it resulted in the formation of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT).

And yet, despite visions of travel and tourism becoming the world’s first global peace industry and a belief that every traveler could potentially be an “Ambassador for Peace” (as some Canary Island visitors say they can) peace and harmony among nations remains contentious, made even more evident by ugly tourists and the ways in which some destinations react to visitors who are unwanted. Another instance in which tourism seems not to be living up to its promise. Mass tourism in a world of mass suffering and destinations of fear?

And yet here we have World Tourism Day, 2024, again being promoted as the industry of peace, but without acknowledging that the ideal of peace seems to be a work in regress rather than progress, due to the inability of so many destinations to combat misbehaviors, ignorance, ineptitude, doubt, denial, discord, distress, selfishness and disharmony.

Having tackled multitude of subjects that suggest that tourism has a long way to go (sometimes in the wrong directions) if it is to earn the monicker as an industry of peace, it`s evident that the agendas of Destinations-in-Action, as well as the behaviors of tourism enterprises, have to be modified. It could start by reimagining the civic commons but it must involve so much more.

One realm of thought calls for a reversal from dictates of scarcity mindsets, to an emphasis on developing abundance mindsets. After all, scarcity and inequity are simply and incessantly scary. While ingenuity has helped replace scarcity with abundance, millions of people throughout the world still lack the basic necessities and are not afforded the dignity of life.

The economic, geopolitical, and societal systems that have shaped whatever progress has been made are under considerable stress. Our environmental systems are changing radically and present inherent risks that are leading to impactful consequences. And yet, while scarcity and abundance appear to be fundamentally contrasting mindsets, they actually serve as a fascinating blueprint for our collective future.

For example, in tourism circles, these days sustainability and regeneration have become the holy grail topics for achieving viable, long-term success. According to many NGOs, like SUNx, sustainability is a Code Red concern. But obstructing the future, that destinations and tourism organizations so desperately seek to create, isn’t just sustainability`s vagueness and scarcity orientation, but a host of other barriers: Ingrained bureaucratic calcification; an over-abundance of restrictive and unnecessary rules and regulations; NIMBYism; struggles with setting appropriate values-based boundaries; protection by law but efforts not to be bound by it; emphasis on blocking rather than building. Hence, stalemate, the inability to get people to ‘yes’.

While linked to aspects of positive psychology (that has its detractors and problematic issues), the time has choose dynamism over stagnation and thriving over surviving. All of which will encourage adoption of a set of abundance and sustainability mindset principles - epitomized by The Serviceberry (abundance and reciprocity in the natural world) - that accord with and set the stage for…

· Innovating toward sustainable abundance through the abundance cycle.

· Creating a new innovations agenda for sustainable abundance, in order to

“Relay the foundations of human survival by creating new ways to provide the most basic essentials of food, water and energy.”

“Relay the foundations of human progress through reimagining how we learn and grow, how we achieve and sustain health and well-being and how we live together in safe and thriving communities.”

“Reconnect with nature by embracing indigenous knowledge, biomimicry and synthetic biology;” and

“Reduce our footprint through the circular economy, new manufacturing and materials science and virtualization (atom to bit based).”

· Facilitating entrepreneurship by those in poverty, by investing in frontline talent, getting microfinancing right and utilizing community development financial institutions.

· Encouraging caring entrepreneurs and a caring mentality throughout destinations and tourism clusters that enhance the growth and experience of workers and citizens (practiced through the art of servant leadership and the weaving of social fabric projects).

· Demystifying and finding a better approach to mentorship.

· Working with communities to develop community land trusts.

· Stoking visitors curiosity through architectures of sensory legibility that incite curiosity and inquisitiveness, and provide the opportunity to understand the arts, cultures and sciences of being, living, creating and making.

· Understanding and realizing the diverse roles that various actors have to play in addressing climate risks, disparities, challenges, and opportunities related to social innovation, local or regional development throughout the world.

Allin all, we operate in a non-linear economy. If Destinations-in-Action hope to achieve net positive magnificence through connection opportunities and collective impact, each will require the establishment of common agendas; a stewardship approach; shared measurement systems; mutually reinforcing activities; continuous communication; and, backbone support organizations (e.g. foundations, centers of excellence, and hospitality and tourism innovation hubs) that work cooperatively and collaboratively with various government agencies, NGOs and community institutions if they aspire to move toward their future forward, abundance agendas that will help create socially conscious and community minded tourism super clusters.

On personal levels, however, let`s not forget: It will be a search for solid ground as people move from safety into the great unknown in hopes of achieving the future they want…an abundance of well-being.