Poverty as a Commodity, Poverty as an Attraction

Abstract

Over decades, tourism has been over-valorized as a mechanism that leaves developing economies from poverty and pauperism. In fact, development theory has enthusiastically emphasized the nature of tourism as a sustainable activity that boosts local economies. Quite aside from this, some critical voices not only have questioned to what extent tourism alleviates local poverty but also the connection between tourism and poverty. An emerging field within tourism studies has plausibly discussed the conditions laying for poverty to become a commodity or a tourist attraction. In this context, the classic paradigm of tourism development has been radically shifted. There is a type of emerging morbid consumption (morbid taste) that makes the Other's pain a question of attraction. This chapter not only ignites a hot debate revolving around the nature of poverty tourism but also its main contradictions. These contradictions can be very well begged in a question: if we start from the premise poverty seems to be the main commodity to exchange for local culture, how can the industry of tourism eradicate poverty?

Citation

Korstanje, M.E. (2024), "Poverty as a Commodity, Poverty as an Attraction", Of Tourists and Vagabonds in the Global South (Tourism Security-Safety and Post Conflict Destinations), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 17-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-044-220241002