Deconstructing Tourism: Who Benefits?

Abstract

"Deconstructing Tourism: Who Benefits? – A Theological Reading from the Global South, follows several initiatives in the last few years focused on questioning tourism through the lens of theology. The majority of people in church and society are led to believe that mass commercial tourism is a boon and a tool of liberation for the poor. The opposite is the case. Tourism needs to be included with other prominent, well articulated justice and peace concerns within churches and theological education. The global impact of this industry makes it a significant phenomenon requiring serious theological investigation. Governments, the tourism industry and its army of supporters insist that it has potential to alleviate poverty in the Global South, and advance economic development. Whose economic development? Research points to the tourism industry itself, structured as it is in a free market setting, in many cases further contributing to Global South poverty." <br /><br/> CONTENTS:<br /> Part I Mass Tourism, Development, and Marginalisation: Scenarios from the Global South 1. Deconstructing Tourism: A Challenge of Justice for the Church – A Theological Perspective – Caesar D’Mello 2. Tourist Gaze and the Subaltern Oppositional Gaze: Theological Re-imaginations – George Zachariah 3. Tourism and Development: Indigenous Communities and Commodification – Marina Ngursangzeli Behera 4. Sun, Sand, Rum, Reggae – The Challenge of Tourism for Church and Society in the Caribbean – Roderick Hewitt 5. Tourism and Climate Justice – R C Thomas 6. Threat to Women’s Rights and Dignity : Tourism and Gender in Africa – Omega Bula 7. God’s Welcome is for All: A Feminist Theological Perspective on Tourism – Liza B. Lamis Part II Mass Tourism the Global South: A Challenge for Missional Theology and Praxis 8. The Objectified people and the Objectified god of Tourism – M.P. Joseph 9. Tourism and Justice : New Testament Insights – Rienzie Perera 10. Tourism and Conflict: A Perspective from Kairos Palestine and Holy Land Tourism – Rifat Odeh Kassis 11. Pilgrimage Tourism : A Case Study of Sabarimala: Impact on People and Nature – M.T.Cherian 12. Tourism: An Ecumenical Concern - An Historical Survey of Ecumenical Responses to the Tourism Phenomenon – Roger Gaikwad 13. Globalized Free Market Tourism: Questions for Theology from the Household of God – Huang Po Ho 14. Engaging Students of Theology on Tourism: A Proposal for a Curriculum – Victor Ferrao 15. A Theological Curriculum on Tourism for Ministerial Students – Wati Longchar Appendices: 1. Communiqué from the Kolkata consultation 2. An Ecumenical Statement on Tourism and Climate Change