by Aalia

Created on: April 22, 2009   Last Updated: April 23, 2009

The afflictions on human society have existed virtually, since the beginning of time. History is evidence that extremism wears the dark garb of Fascism, Communism, Nazism, radical Calvinism and so many other groups advocating their socio-political and religious views: but recently we have the more talked about Muslim radicalism. It is disconcerting indeed to note that the wide spectrum of multi-faceted extremist radical groups have gnawed at our foundation of human rights and freedom. The survival of humanity however, is rooted in our triumph over fear, and no one can question that. This is why I fundamentally disagree that Muslim extremism has irrevocably damaged world tourism.

The tragedy of 9/11 changed forever the moral dynamics of the world. When we closed our windows that night of September 11, we knew the season had altered and I can't help but quote Shakespeare-

"The seasons alter: the hoary headed frosts

Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose"

Life changed, travel suffered an impact like never before. The ramifications of the event were serious but again, even though losses are permanent and irrevocable, no such event in history can be irrevocably damaging. The road to recovery was a difficult one but human beings exhibit remarkable resilience in times like these. We overcome our fears and put our doubts to rest. Slowly but surely, this is how the world gravitates towards normalcy. Travel and tourism is certainly improving.

Muslim extremism is not singularly responsible in bringing down world tourism. The factors that contribute to the dwindling of world tourism are various. Some of them may be hopefully short lived, nevertheless the world economy has slowed down, job loss is tremendous, flight costs have risen. And then, there are other political groups around the world (not just Muslims) who have inflicted attacks on foreign tourists as a way to attract international attention. There is turmoil all around. We could go on and on talking about the conflicts in Africa, Asia, Europe or Latin America or elsewhere, the bombing in Bali, military regimes around the world, human rights problem in Burma, neo-Nazi movement in Berlin to the Kashmir conflict in India, man made disasters to natural disasters. These have all gravely affected tourism in the world today.

On the other hand, we have the traveler and his quest to tour the world, his spirit that in truth promotes tourism in this lop-sided troubled world. Tourism is the platform to the world. The urge to travel can be so visceral it overrides all doubts and fears. It is like the thirst for knowledge or just plain experience. The sense of history that is so defining, the adventure that is so inspiring, the scenes so capturing, the crowd that can be so pleasing, the food, the smell. These all call upon the weary traveler, the nifty traveler, the frugal traveler, the practical traveler, or the lost traveler. The fearful traveler will overcome his fear. It is just how the world works. The rise and ebb of world tourism is the outcome of a multitude of events some of which we might witness but are probably not willing to accept. How then can tourism be irrevocably damaged?

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