Summertime is traveling time, presenting opportunities to explore other countries and cultures. Colonial sites around the world have become tourist attractions, whether they are colonial forts, "slave ports," or prestigious manor houses on plantations. Far too rarely, however, do travelers look at places that stand for the struggle for freedom and independence from colonialism. The cover image of this edition, the Black Star Monument in Accra, Ghana, symbolizes anti-colonialism and African unity. Travelers reading the inscription "Freedom and Justice" are thus given the opportunity to engage with the history – and present! – of the host country.
Against this background, this issue of the Tourism Watch Info Service is dedicated to the colonial continuities of tourism - but our articles also explore the potential for decolonization of and through tourism. Particular attention is for instance paid to voluntourism, which carries the risk of reinforcing colonial clichés. However, our author's recommendations show how voluntourism can and must be made more power sensitive. Additionally, the article on surf tourism in Morocco highlights the lack of interaction between tourists and hosts. A look at Colombia, on the other hand, illustrates how the carnival in the south of Barranquilla promotes authentic encounters and serves as a counterpoint to the commercialized carnival tourism in the north of the city. Another article focuses on the commitment of a local safari entrepreneur in Zimbabwe, who actively promotes social responsibility and nature conservation in the community through his participatory business model. We also look at India, where descendants of African slaves also use self-determined tourism to counteract the racism they often face.
Use the upcoming holiday to question common narratives about your travel destination. Authentic, culturally sensitive encounters support respectful tourism on equal footing. This way, the vacation can be an enriching experience for both travelers and hosts.
We wish you an interesting read and a great summer – wherever you spend it.
