TOURISM CONSTRAINTS OF UMLAZI TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ...

It was clearly demonstrated in this conference that tourism has the potential to makethe world a better place in which to live (MacIntosh, et al., 1995). In 1980 theWorld Tourism conference in Manilla had already declared that tourism is a vitalforce for world peace (Theobald, 1994)......The role oftourism as an ambassador and vehicle for both national and internationalunderstanding and peace has also been recognised by international bodies such asthe United Nations., World leaders and statesmen have also acknowledged theimportance oftourism in bringing about peace. Theobald (1994) quotes PresidentJohn F. Kennedy as having said, in 1963:Travel has become one ofthe great forces for peace andunderstanding in our time. As people move throughoutthe world and learn to know each other, to understandeach other's customs and to appreciate the qualities ofthe individuals ofeach nation, we are building a level ofinternational understanding which can sharply improvethe atmosphere for world peace (Theobald, 1994: 27).In recent times, researchers define peace as the absence ofviolence rather than justthe opposite of war(MacIntosh, et al., 1995). It is important to highlight thepositive role played by tourism in promoting peace if we view peace from thiscontext, seeing that South Africa is presently plagued by violence, particularlypolitical violence and taxi violence.South Africa has entered a period oftransition. Relations among all South Africansneed now to be based on mutual understanding, trust and respect - rather than fearbred from isolation that has been brought about by the South African apartheid lawslike the Separate Amenities Act, the Influx Control Act, and other such laws. Thismutual understanding, trust and respect should be manifested in peace. The16