Cultural Tourism in Regions of Conflict:

The Northern Ireland Experience

Margaret Sutherland

Queens University Belfast

Introduction

Background to Conflict

• Long history of sectarian or ethnic related conflict

- divided culture / divided society/ divided spaces

• “Troubles” or civil war started in 1969

• Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998

• Ongoing violence and sectarian clashes

• Still to reach a definitive political settlement

Introduction

Background to Cultural Tourism in N.I.

• Traditional tourist market limited

- day trippers from Republic of Ireland

- visits to friends and family

- small contribution to economy

• Paramilitary ceasefires in mid 1990’s:

• Growing interest in region from independent travellers seeking something different

• Growing interest by investors resulting in quality venues

• Impact of Budget Airlines - introducing direct flights from European destinations (Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona etc.)

Motivations for Cultural Tourism

Growing Recognition by policy makers that Cultural Tourism could make a contribution to the following:

• Improve the international image and reputation of the region

• Bring economic, social and cultural benefits to the region

• Chance to promote rich cultural heritage of music, art, literature and industry to replace images of conflict and violence

• Valuable opportunity to unite a divided society - by involving local communities and politicians - in order to develop and promote cultural tourism product

• Cross community Steering groups set up to develop and promote events and festivals, provide accommodation etc

Some Issues

• Physical Evidence of Conflict

- peace lines, military installations, prisons, memorial sites

• Celebration of cultural icons of conflict

- Murals, marches, ‘martyrdom’

• How or Should such sensitive cultural heritage be “packaged”

• Places attractive to visitors are often located in socially and economically deprived neighbourhoods.

Ongoing Research

PICTURE - Pro-active Management of the Impacts of Cultural Tourism Upon Urban Resources and Economies

(EC funded 6th Framework Programme)

• Investigating socio cultural impacts of Cultural Tourism for residents

• Can Cultural Tourism strategies improve the quality of life of local residents?

• Identifying contribution which Cultural Tourism may have in image and identity of towns, villages and residents.

Further Research

• Cross community networking/ steering groups?

• Community cultural tourism initiatives (Gaeltacht Cultural Quarter in west Belfast)?

• Economic benefits to communities outweighing old hostilities?

• Visitor environmental improvements contributing to regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods?

Can Cultural Tourism foster an atmosphere conducive to stability and mediation through for example:

Northern Ireland Experience

Transferable Lessons?

Ongoing Issues

• Must be an element of Peace

• Must be local political support for initiatives (Belfast and Derry City Councils)

• Work in partnership with local communities to develop support (‘de-sensitising’ of murals, bogside artist tours etc)

• Urban planning - removing physical barriers etc

• Entrenching of stereotypes

• “Zoo Tourism”

• Continuing divisions / continuing conflict

Cultural Tourism in Regions of Conflict:

The Northern Ireland Experience

m.sutherland@qub.ac.uk

www.picture-project.com