Yeah right! I hear you say. Well think about it though.... a visitor meets a host from another country - they share time together, share thoughts, stories, histories, memories, They connect about family, the world, their homeland, etc. Both the visitor and the host leave enriched,they've connected with another culture, they may have been emotionally or spiritually enlightened, they know more than they did when they arrived and they leave understanding a bit more about the world. All this, in my humble opinion, leaves the world a better place and therefore contributes to world peace.
In the world today, particularly since 9/11, we know people are seeking to return to those values they long ago lost. Engaging with other cultures, particularly indigenous cultures who have often not been so quick to leave those values of old behind, enriches this planet. I don't believe it's any accident that visitors are seeking this authenticity in order to find themselves.
So, to those who think tourism is a crock and is contributing to New Zealand's demise ("I don't want this country overrun with tourists"), I challenge you to think about this. Perhaps the next time you meet a visitor you may see what I mean.
