Tourism: A Step towards Post-War Reconciliation
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In an increasingly global society there are more opportunities for intergroup contact to resolve conflict through tourism. Contact is an essential component in solving conflict and can be effective in the improvement of intergroup relations and attitudes. Furthermore, positive experiences that result from intergroup contact can help develop strategies that address past and future conflicts through acts of forgiveness and the growth of trust. Although there is extensive research on contact theory, relatively few studies have analysed its impact in regards to the tourism setting. Furthermore, the connection between peace and tourism has been limited to theories based on little fieldwork or empirical data. This chapter addresses the phenomenon of New Zealand Vietnam War veterans returning to post-war Vietnam and how these visits may serve as a step towards reconciliation between the veterans and the Vietnamese. The researcher explored the positive and negative effects of these post-war visits on New Zealand Vietnam War veteran’s psychosocial healing and orientations toward Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. The qualitative research methods of document analysis and interviews provide evidence that intergroup contact during these post-war visits has an effect on the Vietnam War veterans’ ability to reconcile with the Vietnamese. In conclusion, the results from this research enhance understanding of the affects of post-war visits on the reconciliation process between former foes.