Essay On Slum Tourism

1. Introduction
1.1. Definition of a Slum and Slum Tourism
According to the United Nations, a slum is a run-down settlement located in the urban area of a city where communities do not have access to clean water, sanitation and tenure security (Slums: Some Definitions, 2007). Slum tourism is visiting these impoverished areas. It is becoming one of the fastest-growing special interest tourism segments, but it is also one of the most controversial out of the different special interest tourism (Ma, 2010).
1.2. History of Slum Tourism
Slum Tourism was said to be started back in London nearly 150 years ago when people from the London upper class were curious to see what was it was like in the East End of London, which contained some of the poorest

Some of the slum tour operators have been criticised for making profits that often do not benefit the slums. It is seen as an exploitative and voyeuristic practice that exploits both the slum residents and residents for money. Slum tour operators argued that it helps the local communities as it employs local people who live in the slums to become tour guides. Other areas that the operators help the communities are building of local community centres and schools. The increased tourism leads to increased government investment in the infrastructure like roads, telecommunication services, water and electricity that will benefit both the travellers and

But, slum tourism does provide opportunities to interact with the slum dwellers, understand their way of life and gain new learning experiences that there are people who are not as fortunate as those who lives in comfort. As human beings, we have feelings and sympathise with the slum dwellers and are motivated to help out and give back to the society. It is the tourists’ own responsibility to decide whether they would like to make a change, change the lives of the people who live in the slums as well as deducing which tour companies do not make use of slum residents simply for