An investigation into the extent in which Poverty Tourism benefits the local communities

O'Halloran, Aisling (2019) An investigation into the extent in which Poverty Tourism benefits the local communities. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Poverty tourism is defined in this paper as “cases in which financially privileged tourists visit impoverished communities for the purpose of witnessing poverty firsthand” (Outterson and Selinger, 2012 pp.38). As a highly popular and fairly new phenomenon, the amount of analytical work and research done on this topic is rarely holistic and minimal. This practice has been critiqued recently for exacerbating global inequities particularly power and health. This paper examines both the positive and negative implications of this form of tourism and aims to contribute to the academic debate on this subject. Ultimately the paper seeks to ask is poverty tourism more positive or more negative? One problematic aspect of studies so far is that little investigation is done on the host communities themselves. From my research an argument was established that rather than approaching community development internationally from a touristic standpoint reflecting neocolonialistic tones the sector must shift focus from the satisfaction of the customer towards the creation of sustainable solutions and education. I therefore propose introducing more effective approaches of engaging the youth in international education and community development through practices such as the expansion of their consciousness from transformative learning. This learning providing experiences which are both equitable and socially responsible. As a result of these factors poverty tourism while not malicious in its intent will require a broad shift in its framework to rid its negative tendencies.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D880 Developing Countries H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > Tourism Industry
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Business Studies
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	14 Oct 2019 15:53
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2019 15:53
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3881

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