by Georges Panayotis
Mankind is supposed to leave behind its animal origins and gain in terms of “humanity” with each generation, meaning it must learn from the past and experience to accept the cohabitation of origins, ethnic groups, races, cultures… And yet, the daily denial is scathing! The hordes have not disappeared, although their nature and means of destruction have changed. The quasi tribal battles from one housing project to the next, one mountain to the next, one shore to the next never truly come to an end.
Globalization has led to the belief that the entire planet would get along on a common waveband of values or universal practices. Everyday life could be organized around a heterogeneous blend of values where the world in its generality partakes in cola and burgers, mobile phones and Facebook, jeans and neckties, techno and yoga, running and soccer… But looks can be deceiving, this global culture is only superficial, while local roots dig deep down.
It can be difficult to live together. It takes an exceptional event, a World Cup, a tsunami or a savage terrorist attack … to bring different peoples together, to erase differences at least for the duration of the competition, a reconstruction or a protest. The deep set reality is crueler and more pessimistic. Imperialisms of all kinds, economic, political, religious, are unable to give way to a larger ecumenism and increased tolerance.
Human beings are getting closer to one another, both physically and virtually thanks to fabulous communications tools, but cultural distance persists and worsens due to friction. Internet is only an immense pipeline of global ramifications. This vast network transports more than it assembles. The information collected regarding all individuals and put online constitutes an immense reservoir of data and yet does not result in an appeased community. There is even little to doubt that the Big data melting pot could generate an explosive turbulence, that it could trigger a chemical reaction that will not result in a magic potion…
All those who exploit this global information with every good intention to create a personalized service must be aware that they are increasingly privy to their clients’ intimacy. This can only happen if one is aware of the pertinence of each local culture. More so than other professions, hoteliers are first in line when it comes to managing differences and guaranteeing peaceful cohabitation. More generally, the world of tourism is fed -particularly with regard to international travel- by a thirst for learning and sharing cultures.
Difference is not an obstacle, it is even a motivation. Its acceptance is not a renunciation of one’s own culture, but an enrichment of one’s perspectives. If only we could get this message across a little better…
