Developing a framework for assessing social cohesion via tourism

Abstract

Purpose

Multicultural nation-states face an added layer of challenge to social cohesion when countries already face various degrees of political, socio-economic and religious divide. Communalism has been a dividing threat, and some societies have encountered civil wars. Reconstructing social fabric in post-war countries is a challenge, and there is a need for a catalyst that can reinforce social cohesion. Although post-war countries use tourism, tourism is also perceived as a hegemonic activity, which still needs to be verified. This paper aims to analyze the relevance of tourism as a catalyst for social cohesion of post-war societies. This study discusses the notion of social cohesion and debates the prospect of tourism to act as a catalyst. The paper provides new insights on how tourism can be used to reflect on the society and social cohesion. This study contributes to theory and practice by developing a framework for assessing social cohesion via tourism, using a qualitative approach. The methodology uses a review of literature and policies in tourism and social cohesion. Findings support the validity of tourism as a catalyst, and this study proposes a framework for assessing social cohesion via tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the notion of social cohesion is discussed and the prospects of tourism to act as a catalyst are debated upon. A review of literature and policies in tourism and social cohesion are used.

Findings

Findings support the validity of tourism as a catalyst, and a framework for assessing social cohesion via tourism is proposed.

Originality/value

This study proposes a framework for assessing social cohesion via tourism.

Citation

Kamble, Z. and Bouchon, F. (2016), "Developing a framework for assessing social cohesion via tourism", Tourism Review, Vol. 71 No. 4, pp. 272-286. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-08-2015-0035