Favelas as a Destination
February 24th, 2007
Similar to the destruction of the rural idyll when it is overcome by suburban development, slums in the Global South may be eradicated by their growing popularity as a tourist destination.
Andrew Downie writes in his article about Rio de Janeiro’s slums, “To many Brazilians, favelas are dirty, violent, frightening places. But to many foreigners, they are exciting, interesting, and romantic.”
I experience a similar fascination when I visit Mexico. The wild and unaffected environment, the simple housing, and the slow lifestyles appeal to me as a contrast to my fast-paced urban life. These characteristics create a place that is increasingly hard to find in America.
When residents of these underdeveloped places begin to market their culture to foreigners, tourism may lift their economies from poverty. When this occurs, will they cease to maintain the lifestyle that gained them their success?
