Slum tourism
From India to Brazil, tours of the world’s poorest communities are on the rise.
Slum dwellers sit during the demolition of illegal huts in Ganpat Patil slums, Mumbai, India. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI
On Tuesday, June 11 at 19:30 GMT:
What’s your next vacation? How about a ghetto or a slum tour? A growing number of travel agencies are offering sightseeing packages ranging from cable car rides through Brazil’s favelas to walking adventures around the slums of India and Kenya. Opponents accuse the industry of turning poverty into entertainment while proponents say this is the best way to understand poverty and raise awareness. So, is this form of tourism exploration or exploitation? Join us at 1930GMT.
In this episode of The Stream, we speak to:
Lola Adesioye @lolaadesioye
Social and political writer
lolaadesioye.com
Fabian Frenzel
Lecturer, University of Leicester
Stephanie Hays @realitygives
CEO, Reality Tours & Travel
realitytoursandtravel.com
Lee Tusman @2sman2sman
Creative Director, Hidden City Philadelphia
hiddencityphila.org
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.