The Role of Tourism in Consolidating Peace in Host Communities: A Case Study of Managers of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Tourism Activists in Mazandaran Province
Keywords:
Tourism, peace, cultural heritageAbstract
This study aims to examine the role of tourism in consolidating peace in host communities from the perspective of tourism activists in Mazandaran Province. This applied research employed a descriptive–Delphi approach. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire refined through expert consultation. The statistical population included senior and middle managers of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, museum directors, and private tourism sector managers in Mazandaran. Due to the limited number of participants, a census method was used. Respondents’ perceptions were assessed using a five-point Likert scale, and data were analyzed using SPSS software. The reliability of the instrument, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.739, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Results indicated that the majority of respondents agreed that tourism positively influences social tolerance and peaceful coexistence within host communities. One hundred percent of participants supported the positive tourism statements. The positive cultural (α=0.776) and overall positive (α=0.801) attitude indices showed higher reliability. Conversely, the negative cultural index recorded the lowest reliability (α=0.184). Findings confirmed that tourism contributes to sustainable economic development, job creation, and inter-cultural understanding, while also raising concerns over environmental degradation and cultural erosion in the absence of proper management. Tourism acts as a powerful instrument for peacebuilding, coexistence, and sustainable development in host societies. Although unplanned growth of tourism can lead to environmental and socio-economic challenges, strategic management and supportive policy frameworks can transform tourism into a sustainable force for peace and mutual understanding.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Reza Habibpour Ledari (Author); Abolghasem Heidarabadi; Manouchehr Pahlavan (Author)
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