Tag: tourism

Petulant Pierre Beats Out Ugly American As #1 Tourist Terror

port1080.

Posted to Etcetera on Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 11:30:12 AM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.

Despite the common wisdom, according to a recent survey of hotel employees, Americans aren't the worst tourists to deal with - in fact, it's not even close.

(6 comments, 438 words in story) Full Story

I'll Get Even With You

pO157.

Posted to Politics on Tue May 20, 2008 at 12:58:43 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

Race and anti-foreigner riots intensified in South Africa, as police announce at least 22 people were killed in the latest round of violence.

(69 comments, 289 words in story) Full Story

Slum Tourism

Kibera is the largest slum town near Nairobi, Kenya. It is home to close to one million Kenyans living on the razor's edge of economic survival in a succession of tin shacks and shanties. It's a place many residents have worked very hard to move away from. It was used as a filming location for the movie The Constant Gardener. It has also become a "must visit" spot on the itineraries of such notables as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and US comedian Chris Rock. Time to walk about and take in a measure of that which Kibera has in plentitude - human misery. But, it is also becoming an optional tourist stop for the not so notables who visit Kenya. Call it slum tourism or pity tourism, there is a burgeoning trade in tour groups piling into Kibera, taking their photos, and leaving. In spite of the fact that this commerce is promoted and appreciated by travel agencies earning a penny off the tours, it has any number of Kenyans and those who have worked with the poor of Kibera feeling not so good about slum tourism.

(19 comments, 656 words in story) Full Story