| This
article advocates the concept of intergenerational tourism
as a means of promoting peace, and provides a specific example
of this concept put into practice. During the spring 1998
semester , Israel Arab and Jewish elders, together with
Jewish and Arab college students, and Arab girls aged 12
and 13 joined together to participate in a programme of
recreational activities which included a variety of games
and other activities. Pre-test questionnaires were administered
to control and experimental groups in February, and again
in June. The results of the research indicate that the programme
had a significantly positive effect on the attitudes of
Arabs and Jews towards each other. The Jewish elders in
the programme displayed a significant readiness to invite
Arabs to their home, and decrease in hatred towards Arabs.
The attitudes of the Arab elders toward Jews also showed
lower hatred towards Jews. This study provides evidence
that a programme of ‘intergenerational tourism’
of this nature can indeed have positive effects on attitudes
of one group toward another, thereby helping to promote
peaceful relations. |
