BBC Fast-Track: Is slum tourism ethical?
(Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fast_track/9774845.stm)
Pre-listening
1. Look at the pictures below. What is your first impression of the places shown?
______
2. These are three of the world’s most famous slums. Find a dictionary definition for the word ‘slum’:
______
Dharavi- Mumbai, India Soweto- Johannesburg, South Rocinha- Rio de Janiero, Africa Brazil
3. Would you ever visit one of these places as a tourist? In the table below, list reasons for and against the idea of visiting a slum as a tourist (think about tourists and the people in the slums.)
Reasons for: Reasons against:
Vocabulary: Consider the question: Is slum tourism ethical? Re-write this question using your own words:
______
Read the statements below. Do you agree or disagree? You may need to use an English-English dictionary to find definitions for the highlighted words.
Statements: look up definitions for the highlighted words Do you agree (A) or disagree (D)?
In some cities, neighbourhoods that were once poor and deprived are
now vibrant and fashionable.
Most well-to-do tourists prefer to travel to luxury destinations, such as
Outreach groups play an important role in our communities, especially
those which work with disadvantaged groups of people.
The word ‘homeless’ has many negative connotations.
Some people denounce slum tourism because they think it could
objectify poor people and the way they live.
Tourists are often exploited by the owners of shops, hotels and
restaurants in developing countries.
There have been many critiques of the way tourists behave when they
visit large cities, like London.
The tourism industry is embracing the trend of tourism in developing
countries, as it can improve the economy and offer new opportunities for
employment in these areas.
Listening #1: Watch the program ‘Is slum tourism ethical?’ Put a tick (√) next to the statements that are mentioned.
Listening #2: Apart from the host, there are four people in the program who speak. Write down who they are (their role). Match the speaker to their opinion. a) Liz Viner -Homeless resident of London, i) Tourists should be careful about which services they choose. tour guide______b) Faye Shields- ______ii) People should not view slum tourism in a negative way. c) Ko Koens- ______iii) It makes sense for homeless people to guide city tours. d) Rachel Noble- ______iv) Slum tourism is growing rapidly worldwide and will continue to grow.
Listening #3: Listen again and take notes below.
Using your notes, complete the notes below: ‘Is Slum tourism ethical?’
- Brick Lane in London, now: ______
Busiest on Sundays à ______
Visitors à ______
- Brick Lane in 19th c.: ______
‘Birthplace of slum tourism’ àRich visitors- why?
1.______2. ______
3. ______4. ______
- 1990s: Slum tourism ______eg. ______
- Recent years: trend ‘has come full circle’ àreturned to ______
Example: London tours by homeless people
- Liz Vinerà______
Her tour à______
She says: ______
______
______
- Tour: 1 of ______in London, organised by ______
- Faye Shields: ‘Organisation wants to ______’
Guides get: ______
Guides feel: ______
- According to experts: Worldwideà ______
- Ko Koens: egà ______
Pace of growth: ______
- ‘Denounced’ by some, because:
1. ______à’Poorism’
2. ______
Eg: Touristsà______
Locals feel à______
- Counter-argument: ______àIndustry embracing trend
-Two major qns: 1. ______?
2. ______?
- Biggest challenge for tourists: ______
- Rachel Nobleà Tourists should: 1.______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______These thingsà ______
Listen again, and add to the notes.
Discussion question:
Is slum tourism ethical?