Tourism history of socialist countries
2008 year's panel
Tourism and the environment in socialist countries
The International Association for the History of Transport, Traffic and Mobility (T2M) invites proposals for papers to be presented at the Sixth International Conference on the History of Transport, Traffic and Mobility, to be held in Ottawa, Canada, between the 18th and 21st of September, 2008.
Papers of the panel "Tourism and the environment in socialist countries" should address the historical relationship between tourism and transport, traffic and/or mobility linked to specific characteristic of socialist systems. Notwithstanding T2M’s natural affinity for the historical view, interdisciplinary approaches are greatly encouraged. Relevant proposals from the fields of geography, philosophy, cultural studies, sociology, ecology, anthropology, archaeology, engineering and others are most welcome. Proposals exploring theoretical or methodological issues suit the topic as well as those of a more empirical nature.
According to the conference’s topic, the analysis of the relationship between environment and tourist mobility in socialist countries is central. Environmental problems were considerable, but environmental politics, a minor field in socialist countries, and environmental protection widely neglected. This can – as among other spheres – be proven in tourism of socialist countries. But also, efforts made in environmental issues can be shown to refute the assertion of unscrupulous polluters in the RGW. Tourism issues are especially qualified to analyse backgrounds, motives, instruments, actors, barriers and promotions in socialist environmental consciousness.
Saving the environment is an important factor in preserving tourist areas. Therefore, there should have been a genuine interest in environmental protection, which was probably constantly threatened by divergent industrial aims. As there was probably no adequately working political instrument, it is interesting to investigate regional or local activities to create a tourist destination that attracts visitors by its natural beauty. It can be assumed, that for the described reasons that there were vital differences in the ecological efforts of socialist countries depending on their tourist importance for domestic and international tourists.
For more detailed information on the conference itself, please follow: [url]http://www.t2m.org[/url]. The conference language is English (only). The deadline for abstracts and a short cv (max. 1 page each; word or rich text format only) is the 28th of February, 2008. Please send proposals to [mailto]wolter_heike@yahoo.de[/mailto]. I will forward all documents to T2M after designing a concise overview of what the session is about, why it matters, and how the papers each address the panel’s theme. Notification of acceptance will be sent during the first half of April 2008. The full text of papers accepted must be submitted by the 1st of August, 2008 if they are to be included on the conference CD-ROM sent in advance to all participants and if they are to be eligible for T2M Awards.
Heike Wolter
Phone: 0049-9401-521416
Email: [mailto]wolter_heike@yahoo.de[/mailto]
Visit the website at [url]http://www.t2m.org[/url]