The exploitative industry of Slum Tourism, and how it can be better

If something is widespread, it’s likely that people will find a way to make money off it. This is practically a rule in our modern world, and no example can be as great as the business of slum tourism.

According to National Geographic, a “quarter of Manila’s 12 million people are considered ‘informal settlers’”. Contrary to the inherit issue of slums like this existing itself, the hugely controversial business practice is making it worse- selling tours of these underprivileged & severely disadvantaged areas. The scheme only picked up pace recently after the first occurrence in the mid-1800s, after widespread attention to “the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa” (Forbes). Many companies started offering “reality tours” to people in the tens of thousands, however the ideas have been around for a long time- according to the New York Times in 1909, Chinatown guides collected $2 each for entrance to the slums, often encouraging “mockery of the poor” (National Geographic). This causes significant damage to the areas by not painting them as areas that desperately need improvement, however glorified monkey exhibits to the less fortunate. When I first heard about this issue, I wasn’t surprised at all, seeing as tours of mental asylums have existed for more than 2 centuries. However, after watching a documentary on the largest slum in Asia, Dharavi, this practice seemed worse and worse to me. The companies, such as “Reality Tours”, suggest that the tours are to educate people (realitytoursandtravel.com). Although after seeing the lives of many of the people living there, even second-hand- it’s clear that slum tourism is almost equivalent to old asylum tours. Photography is often prohibited, but unenforced; many unknowing visitors feel uncomfortable, and the residents are treated as a different species.

The Round Square ideals link to this issue heavily, primarily internationalism & democracy. The issue of slumming & poverty in of itself is gargantuan, impacting every country, city & person. Because poverty is so widespread, like anything- there is a way to monetise it. The Democracy ideal comes in heavily to implement new laws & regulations around these areas, so as to keep education at the topmost importance, and money at the lowest. New, fairer regulations shouldn’t be a “Huge blow” (NYT) to companies that strive over the inequality of others. The first step to solving poverty would be to stop those who actively make it worse, hence the heavy need for democracy.

Circle of viewpoints

The following are imagined POVs of the parties involved.

Companies:

“As a representative of a slum tourism company, our primary goal is to provide unique and eye-opening experiences to tourists while, admittedly, generating revenue. We acknowledge the criticisms surrounding our industry, but we argue that we play a role in raising awareness about poverty and inequality. We actively collaborate with local guides to ensure understanding of the communities we visit, and we strive to contribute a portion of our profits to local development projects. While we recognize the challenges, we believe that responsible slum tourism can be a force for positive change, fostering empathy and encouraging action on broader social issues.”

Slum-dwellers:

“Living in the slums is a daily struggle for survival. Our homes lack basic amenities, and the constant influx of tourists adds another layer of complexity to our lives. While some visitors genuinely try to understand our realities, many treat us as animals, capturing photos without consent and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The invasion of our privacy is distressing, and the minimal financial benefits we receive from the tours hardly compensate for the disruption. We wish for genuine efforts to address the root causes of poverty, rather than being reduced to tourist attractions.”

Tourists:

“I went on a slum tour with the intention of broadening my perspective and understanding the challenges faced by people in poverty. However, the experience left me conflicted. On one hand, I gained insights into a world vastly different from my own, but on the other hand, I felt uncomfortable and intrusive. The ethical dilemmas surrounding slum tourism became evident as I witnessed the exploitation of vulnerable communities for the proposed sake of education and entertainment. It is crucial for tourists like me to critically evaluate the impact of our choices and demand more responsible and respectful alternatives.”

Governments:

“Addressing the issue of slum tourism requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments must take a proactive role in implementing regulations that prioritize the well-being of slum communities. This includes establishing guidelines for tour operators, ensuring that a significant portion of profits contributes to local development, and protecting the privacy and dignity of slum dwellers. Additionally, investing in education and poverty alleviation programs can address the root causes of slum living, offering a more sustainable solution than relying on tourism revenue.”

HERO

Kennedy Odede is a Kenyan social entrepreneur and community organizer who is widely recognized as a leading voice against the practice of slum tourism. He is the founder of SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities), an organization that provides education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to youth living in Kibera, Africa's largest slum. Odede's passion for empowering slum communities stems from his own experiences growing up in poverty in Kibera. He witnessed the negative impacts of slum tourism firsthand, seeing how outsiders often viewed slum dwellers as objects of pity or curiosity rather than as individuals with dignity and potential. This motivated him to work towards changing the narrative surrounding slums and promoting more responsible forms of engagement with these communities. He has consistently promoted greater alternatives to slum tourism, such as Community-led tourism (educational tours run by the slum-dwellers themselves), alongside encouraging mutually respectful interactions and sustainable development. Kennedy Odede's work has made a significant impact on the discourse surrounding slum tourism and has inspired others to challenge the status quo. His advocacy for community-led initiatives, respectful interactions, and sustainable development has helped to shape a more responsible approach to engaging with slum communities.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the business of slum tourism unveils a disheartening intersection of profit-seeking and poverty exploitation. The historical roots of this practice, dating back to the mockery of the poor in the early 20th century, reveal a longstanding tendency to commodify the struggles of the underprivileged. The contemporary surge in slum tourism, fuelled by the allure of 'reality tours,' echoes the troubling parallels with past practices like asylum tours, where the lives of vulnerable individuals were exploited for entertainment.