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The image of a group of wealthy white tourists with intrusive cameras staring at the poor is reasonable cause for outrage at “Slum Tourism.” As community engagement and responsible travel become more popular tenets, the concept of slum tourism is gaining traction. This article will describe what this concept is; examine its advantages and disadvantages; and give advice on how to participate in such tours in an ethical and responsible manner.

Slum tourism, as the name implies, involves visiting impoverished areas or slums in developing countries. Key countries where one would find these tours include India, Brazil, Kenya, Indonesia, and South Africa. Although the concept began in London and New York in the late 1800s, it was during the 1980s in South Africa that it began to become more prominent. Black residents organized “township tours” to educate white local government officials on how they lived. The tours began to attract international tourists who wanted to learn more about apartheid.

Despite these positive intentions, some village or slum tours have become little more than another safari, voyeuristically peering out the bus window at appalling conditions, turning poverty into entertainment. Seeing people struggling for their basic needs helps no one and, it can be argued, robs those people of their dignity. Tour operators are seen as essentially taking advantage of the misfortune of others. Tour operators often do not give back to the community and do not seek residents’ consent to treat their home like a zoo. It also fosters a giving society if donations are not controlled: Tourists randomly throwing money and candy out the window teach children that they don’t need to go to school; rather they can follow the tourist buses hoping that wealth will rain down.

But it doesn’t have to be all bad; These tours have benefits for both communities and travelers if done with the right attitude. Often, tourists who want to participate in a slum tour come from developed countries and have never seen such misery. It raises awareness about poverty and poverty-related issues, making it real rather than something happening in a distant land. Many tourists often come to the slums to put their lives in perspective (see #firstworldproblems). For travelers, it’s a chance to see how people live and how hard they have to work to support their families. However, it is also good to see that slums and townships are not just places of destitution and misery, but vibrant communities with shops, schools, laughter and optimism.

Tours provide opportunities for the local economy to benefit. Travelers can purchase lunch, use a local guide, and purchase souvenirs from artisans. The employment and earnings of these individuals generally result in their earnings being invested back into the community, creating a continuing benefit. Many slum tours are organized by community organizations with the intention of creating jobs and additional income for residents. During a tour of the slums, travelers can donate directly to those in need (instead of wasting half of their donation on “administrative costs” when donating to large NGOs back home). There is an opportunity to visit community projects, schools and other non-profit organizations. Donations can be in the form of money or goods such as stationery for schools or clothing for an orphanage. Many travelers feel more inclined to donate after experiencing a small slice of everyday life in the slums.

So if the bad effects are so bad, but the good effects are so good, how does one decide whether to participate in a slum tour or not? Here are three key things to look for when choosing your tour of the slums:

  1. Are local guides being used?
  2. Does the money you pay for the tour go back to the community?
  3. Does the operator really support the community?

You should ask your tour operator a lot of questions to ensure that they are ethical and responsible in conducting the slum tours. Some considerations include:

  • The size of the tour group: A large group is very intrusive and there is no way you can have proper interaction with members of the community, while small groups can respectfully interact with residents.
  • Is it a walking tour or will you ride a bus, just by clicking your camera from the window?
  • How much is the community involved in working with the travel company?

Boston University’s document on “poverty tourism” says that slum tours should be conducted in “a well-established collaborative and consensus process,” much like the “fair trade” process.

Sharing the challenges, dreams and aspirations of communities provides an opportunity to connect with our global village. Participating in slum tours need not be a process of voyeuristic exploitation, but can be a mutually beneficial relationship between visitors and residents. Opportunities to connect in order to foster relationships for capacity building or simply to facilitate donations are aided by the direct interaction that slum tours can provide. It’s just important to make sure you use ethical and responsible tour operators who work with communities rather than use them for their own benefit.

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