Practically Invisible: Coastal Ecuador, Tourism, and the Politics of Authenticity
Kimbra Smith, "Practically Invisible: Coastal Ecuador, Tourism, and the Politics of Authenticity"
English | ISBN: 0826520561 | 2015 | 256 pages | EPUB | 8 MB
English | ISBN: 0826520561 | 2015 | 256 pages | EPUB | 8 MB
The community of Agua Blanca, deep within the Machalilla National Park on the coast of Ecuador, found itself facing the twenty-first century with a choice: embrace a booming tourist industry eager to experience a preconceived notion of indigeneity, or risk losing a battle against the encroaching forces of capitalism and development. The facts spoke for themselves, however, as tourism dollars became the most significant source of income in the community.
Thus came a nearly inevitable shock, as the daily rhythms of life–rising before dawn to prepare for a long day of maintaining livestock and crops; returning for a late lunch and siesta; joining in a game of soccer followed by dinner in the evening–transformed forever in favor of a new tourist industry and the compromises required to support it. As
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