The role of cultural heritage quality management for the promotion of intercultural dialogue and peace through tourism

Why science should talk about peace? Which kind of contribution scientific research should provide in order to aid effectively the construction and maintenance of mutual global understanding and peace? The scientific approach and analysis of social, environmental, economic, technological and political phenomena should provide evidence which, in turn, should be used to inform the political decision making process at regional, national and international level. We are aware, today, about the fact that conflicts and incidences such as the dramatically current phenomena of migrations, could be triggered by complex causes or conjunct of causes such as social inequalities, corruption and social injustice, economic crises, political instability when violent implications occur, lack of education, intolerance and religious extremism, as well as climatic alterations (Carbone, 2017). Every scientific field has thus its call of duty to suggest decision makers the path to follow, or at least collaborate in the decision making process regarding the conflicts resolution. This is the general objective of this work, to produce – in the specific fields of cultural heritage management and tourism - inputs that can inform the creation/revision of regional, national and international policies taking into account as its final aim, the contribution of international tourism activities as vehicle of intercultural dialogue and peace. In this broader context, the specific objective is to define the role of the cultural heritage management practices within destinations and propose an appropriate definition of the concept of cultural heritage quality management.