Slum Tourism is a relatively new phenomenon, and has been widely criticised in the media for exploiting those living on and below the poverty line, and has been deemed ‘voyeurism’ rather that tourism. Some media types are calling this form of excursion ‘poorism‘, as it involves taking tours of some of the world’s most poverty stricken communities, and is said to have begun about 15 years ago in Brazil, when the company Favela Tour began to give guided tours around Rio De Janeiro’s largest and poorest shantytown or ‘favela’.

Slum tourism has now spread to other parts of the world and tours of poor areas such as the infamous Dharavi slum in Mumbai are now growing in popularity. Many believe that the civilized world turns a blind eye to the gruelling poverty experienced by millions of people across the globe and that these slum tours provide a shocking eye opener for many tourists. Organizations and charities are keen to change the view of  slums, and show that people who live here are resourceful and waste nothing, and willing and eager to better themselves and improve their conditions. Many slum tours actively encourage those taking part to help out with preparing food and water for some of the poorer residents, and also to support local entrepreneurs who make souvenirs to sell. Some of the tours also actively put some of their profits back into the slums, such as one tour operator in Mumbai who used some of his own money to build a community centre.

However critics of slum tours say that the money put back into the slums is minimal at best, and that they are in no way a substitute for proper redevelopment and poverty aid programs. Many feel strongly that these tours are exploitative to the inhabitants of the slum areas, and if tourists truly wanted to give aid to those suffering they would be much better off supporting the relevant charities and organizations who work to fight poverty and change slum areas for the better.

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