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| No | 51% | 394 votes | Total: 773 votes | |
| Yes | 49% | 379 votes |
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Add to FavoritesNot only has Islamic fundamentalism and its saturation in the media most likely not played a significant role in reducing world tourism, but to assume irrevocable damage is, I believe, an underestimation of the resiliency of individuals. Yes, the media has long shaped our perceptions of the world outside our respective bubbles (whether they be American, European, or North African), but so have our personal experiences and those of people close to us. Word of mouth is a powerful advertisement.
In the spring of 2002 I went to Morocco for the first time by myself. I met many friendly, open Moroccans who helped me to discover during my brief stay some of the beauties of the country, both geographical and cultural. I also came across several American and European tourists who were having experiences heavily based on the expectations (or lack thereof) they had brought with them. A older British woman found Marrakesh filthy and the people pushy. A young man from New York basked in the club scene and grappled with culturally based gender differences. I enjoyed walking slowly and surviving on tea and bread. Each of us returned to our respective homes with stories to tell that would likely carry more weight for many close to us than the perpetuation of an image of Muslim extremism as pervasive.
Since that first journey, I have lived briefly in Morocco, traveled extensively in Europe and had the pleasure of a trip to Egypt. On all of these occasions I came into contact with tourists from all over the world. I have friends traveling this summer in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The state of the world, and the horrific events that accompany extremism of all types, cannot be denied, but humans continue to be a curious species. Some will undoubtedly restrict their travel to those places they deem "safe"; some may find themselves drawn to places that are the heart of conflict; others still will continue to venture as they always have, driven by intrigue.
While the consequences of Islamic extremism have been terrifying and their representation by the media has made them seem unavoidable and ever-present, they have not and will not damage world tourism irrevocably. In the United States, we have gun violence rates that are shocking and students who assault one another in schools. Yet, less than two weeks ago at Garden of the Gods in Colorado I had a pleasant conversation with a Muslim family visiting from India. Parents still send their students to study here. Young adults in their pre-university "gap year" still buy special passes for the Greyhound. In short, violence and uncertainty are unfortunate elements of the world in which we live but they do not squelch the curious nature of people and their desire to see and learn about those things exotic to them.
Learn more about this author, Stacey Mckenna.
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Yes
Undoubtedly, Muslim extremism has damaged tourism and it perhaps will never recover. People used to travel to many more places in the Far and Middle East than they do now but many places, from Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Kenya, Iran, Iraq,Kuwait are all targets for extremists.
It is a terrible shame because Islam cannot truly teach that it is right to create lands where others cannot go or are in danger if they do. I always understood that the teaching of Islam were gentleness, obedience and harmony. I have never met a true believer who I believe would harm me or my children, yet I would avoid certain parts of the world for fear of extremism.
We must remember that extremism is not confined to Muslims- there are extremist of all kinds, including Americans but the question here was has Muslim extremism damaged world tourism and the reply has to be that, like any kind of extremism, yes it has.
Even a visit to London is under marked by a slight ripple of fear as trains, buses and tube trains have been targets in the past with bombs being left at termini and suicide bombers blowing themselves up on buses and tubes.
Why, I do not really understand. I can understand wanting to spread their faith but surely gentle, kind acts would do this far better and really spread faith and what it is about. Most religions have at their heart, a desire to do good, spread their faith and love each other but extremism in any form makes people think all followers of that religion believe the same thing. The fact is that extremists are largely vulnerable, brain washed people who genuinely believe they are doing what is right for their faith. If they only stopped and thought with their own hearts for a moment.
Christians have been guilty in the past (Crusades) of trying to do the same thing but it is the loving acts which actually say more about a religion than extremism.
Some of the most beautiful places on earth are now no go due to the fear of extremist acts. Iraq was once lush, the Garden of Eden was supposed to have been in the area and the Hanging Gardens of Bablyon were in the East. The Pyramids have been targeted with bombs at Luxor and even Thailand has been the victim of extremism.
Attributin g every extremist act to Muslims is wrong as other groups may be jumping on the band wagon but it would be nice to feel we could travel, learn of other faiths and above all, learn to love each other and share this wonderful planet of ours.
Learn more about this author, Sammy Stein.
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