Political (in)stability and its influence on tourism development

This paper explores ways in which the context of economic and social renewal in the aftermath of political conflict affects tourism development. The primary research took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and involved minimally structured interviews, participant observation and researcher reflexivity. The findings suggest that the administration and governance introduced to address political conflict in B&H needs to be reconsidered because it currently fails to achieve collaboration between divided communities. This failure impedes social and economic recovery. Nevertheless, the tourism industry appears to be ahead of other sectors in B&H in encouraging partnership between sides previously in conflict. Tourism is thus assessed as fertile ground for a more collaborative approach. It is concluded that in B&H, tourism development must go beyond economic regeneration and in its encouragement of joint projects between different stakeholders and communities it can aid reconciliation between its people.

► Critical research inquiry into post-conflict tourism development.
► Sustainable tourism development difficult due to lack of institutional support.
► Structural integration of peace as a prerequisite for tourism development.
► Tourism development needs politico-legal system support.