Heads Up: Poverty Tours - Slum Visits: Tourism or Voyeurism? - Travel - New York Times
The concept and idea of Slum tours has been around for awhile, 16 years, started in Rio, the article points out. There have been many a Discovery Channel special on them as well. The question I'll ask and answer is it participation or observation travel. I say observation, but to truly participate in these run down places where the rules aren't understood even after a few years of study. To participate you would need the language, and some connection.
In this case, I tend to think the observation is good, we as a society need to know what is going on around us, good or bad. Change begins with awareness. I also tend to think it's a boon for the slums as there are chances to see wares, etc.
