Migration, tourism and peace: Lampedusa as a social laboratory^*

* This paper presents the first results of the research on tourism and intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean area that the three authors are carrying out at LIST – International Laboratory of Tourism Studies, University of Milano-Bicocca. Paragraph 1 and 2 (Introduction and Literature Review) were written by Elisabetta Ruspini; paragraph 3 (Methodology) by Marxiano Melotti and Elisabetta Ruspini; paragraphs 4 (Results) by Marxiano Melotti, who conducted the fieldwork on Lampedusa; paragraph 5 (Conclusion and Implications) by the three authors.

ABSTRACT

This paper highlights the relationships between tourism, migration, and peace in the context of the present refugee crisis. It focuses on the case of Lampedusa, an island that is not only an important tourist destination but also a major gateway for migrants trying to reach Europe. In 2016, it hosted the first exhibition of the “Museum of Trust and Dialogue for the Mediterranean.” Lampedusa is the only local community that was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2017, its mayor received the UNESCO Peace Prize. The research shows how the island is still in search of a balance between local identity and global processes, and discusses its possible role as a social laboratory for peace and mutual understanding.

KEYWORDS:

• Migration
• peace
• museum
• Lampedusa

Notes

* This paper presents the first results of the research on tourism and intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean area that the three authors are carrying out at LIST – International Laboratory of Tourism Studies, University of Milano-Bicocca. Paragraph 1 and 2 (Introduction and Literature Review) were written by Elisabetta Ruspini; paragraph 3 (Methodology) by Marxiano Melotti and Elisabetta Ruspini; paragraphs 4 (Results) by Marxiano Melotti, who conducted the fieldwork on Lampedusa; paragraph 5 (Conclusion and Implications) by the three authors.