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[kili-kelly]

I read an article in a Tanzanian newspaper that was talking about how popular "poorism" has become, that is touring the poorest areas of a country. Unfortunately I couldn't find an on line version to link to. The article was focusing on $30 day trips through Nairobi's poorest slums and especially how many celebrities are wanting to travel to such places. They were also questioning whether the area benefited from such tours or were exploited. There was also a topic here a few months ago about L. A. Gangland tours, pretty much an American version along the same lines. The reaction seems to be mostly how these areas should be left alone. On the other hand, here in Tanzania, everybody wants to see the most remote tribes, the "real" Maasai and the Hadzabe ("bushmen") who hunt with poison arrows. Isn't that really the same thing, only in a rural setting? Should areas like those be left alone and untouched or do you think that they should be visited (therefore no longer being "real" and untouched.) What are your opinions about this?

[corinneconley]

I am not totally sure if its a good or bad thing... I do a lot of volunteer tourism which gets a lot of criticism. While I like to think I'm making a positive impact, it is cool to see different cultures and get out of the resort. People are naturally curious, and thats where people want to go. Tourism definitely brings a new level of globalization to any area, so it probably affects its 'untouchedness'. Still, in 'exotic' areas i've visited, the locals need that tourism income and are working on ways to bring more $$$ into that area.

[travelmonster]

There are a number of things I don't like about this and here are just a couple:

1. You can guarantee that a large majority of the money will not go to the appropriate people and someone, somewhere in the line will be making money out of it which sickens me.

2. It's very insenstive for a coach load of people to turn up and start gawking.


There are ways of going about visiting these areas, spending time with people and learning about life - but this for me is definitely not it.