Tourism acting as a factor of integration: the case of Right-wing extremism and Crime in the Former GDR Dagmar Lund-Durlacher MODUL University Vienna

Background Reports over brutal racist attacks in the former GDR in German and international media. Tourism authorities complain that these attacks harm their tourism figures, 2007 survey: Tourism figures in Saxony-Anhalt could have been 11% higher without neo- Nazi association. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: in 2006, an estimated people changed their minds about visiting the area, costs up to million Euros (IPSOS 2007). Reported racist attacks combined with the existence of a neo-Nazi movement affect travellers‘ decisions on traveling to the former GDR.

Research Questions Do reported racist attacks and the existence of neo-Nazi movements in the former GDR states affect travelers‘ decisions on traveling there? What reactions and strategies do travelers show and develop? What measures can be applied to combat the negative effects and counteract negative tourist developments? Is tourism able to contribute to reducing right-wing extremist attidues?

Subject of Study “Right-wing extremist ideology has its roots in nationalism and racism. It is governed by the idea that ethnic affiliation to a nation or race is of the utmost importance for an individual. All other interests and values, including civil and human rights, are subordinate to it.” Right-wing extremism in Germany: No homogenous ideology, but ethnic affiliation and xenophobia are common charachteristics occurs in various forms: a violence-prone juvenile sub-culture, right-wing extremist skinheads, neo-Nazi groupings propagating a totalitarian state, parties striving to gain political influence. Source:

Research Method Focus group discussions in Berlin 3 groups consisting of Berlin citizens with similar backgrounds and similar distribution of demographic characteristics (age, gender, familial status) Focus GroupFamily with children Couple without children Single Immigrants322 East-Berliner213 West-Berliner232 Total767

Topics of the Explorative Study Travel behavior to the former GDR states. Personal perception and sensitivity towards right-wing extremism. Personal experiences with right-wing extremism during trips to the former GDR states. Changes in travel behavior and strategies to avoid conflicts with neo-Nazi movement.

Personal perception and sensitivity towards right-wing extremism Sensitivity depends on the social background Right-wing extremism is... known through reports in the media seen as a juvenile phenomen seen as a form of general crime not only a German phenomenon, but strongly stirred up through the media stronger in the former GDR states than in the ‚old‘ states, because: Higher unemployment rate and therefore higher frustration level in former GDR Disorientation of juveniles Juvenile‘s jealousy of tourists Adults are not used to the mass of foreign tourists and therefore avoid contact Xenophobic attitudes of parents are transefrred to juveniles Less problematic in highly developed tourist destinations

Change in Travel behavior Due to personal experience with xenophobic incident: No return to the place where the incident happened. Information to friends, family and colleagues and the media. Due to media reports on racist attacks: Foreign immigrants react more sensitively. Berlin-born citizens do not feel like a target group for racist attacks and see themselves as being well-informed and able to estimate the danger. All would continue to make further trips to the eastern federal states. Boycott of the destination only for a short time after the incident. Long-term boycott if there are repeated racist attacks and an acceptance of right-wing extremist attidudes by local politicians and/or residents.

Strategies to avoid racist attacks Not to be recognized as a foreigner and not to attract attention. To travel in a group, preferably together with Germans. To escape from dangerous situations.

Measures to combat the negative effects Socio-political measures Job creation in the former GDR states. Affirmative action for the youth. Promotion of a positive tourism attitude amongst population. Improvement of law regulations to judge right-wing extremists easier. Security measures Higher presence of police. Employment of tourist companions. Ban and exclusion of neo-Nazis from certain areas. Communication measures Informing and educating tourists about the right-wing extremism scene. Local politicians, opinion makers and population distance themselves from right-wing extremism ideas. Creation of a positive attitude among the local population towards tourists.

Summary Frequent, brutal, racist attacks in a tourist destination have a negative impact on the tourist arrivals in the destination. The open and visible presence of right-wing extremist groups leads to a decrease in travel to the destination. The acceptance of right-wing extremism attitudes by local politicians, opinion makers and local population leads to a decrease in travel to the destination. Foreigners and foreign tourists in highly developed tourist destinations are treated more positively than in weakly developed tourist regions.

Conclusions Tourism plays an important role in… the reduction of prejudices towards foreigners and the reduction of right-wing extremist attitudes, the buildup of dialogues between the local population and (foreign) tourists, as well as the integration of right-extremism minded fringe groups. Thank you!