Hernández Velázquez, Y. M.. 2023. 'What we did on our Holidays'. In: On Terminal Tourism. Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom 5 October 2023. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract or Description

Tourism rose to become one the world’s fastest industries just as decolonisation was getting underway, brining promises of easily achieved “development” and a consistent flow of income towards the host economies. However, for many who live under its hold, tourism has become just another instrument through which extractive pressures continue to be felt.

Despite ongoing and much publicised efforts to turn tourism into an ecologically and socially sustainable activity, it has persistently failed to deliver on its promises. Instead, tourism voraciously consumes natural resources, common heritage, infrastructures and territory. Moreover, with a terraforming capacity unmatched by any other industry, and an ability to imbricate itself into all aspects of life, it seems to foreclose the possibility of any alternative futures.

As protests emerge around the world asking tourists to stay away and traditional tourist destinations suffer the blunt force of climate change, there is a new urgency to rethinking our profound attachment to tourism. Dismantling the imaginaries that have come to stand for an elusive “good life” to be found elsewhere will only be a first step.

Inaugural lecture of the Visual Cultures Autumn term public programme 23-24, "On Terminal Tourism" convened by Dr. Yaiza Hernández Velázquez

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Lecture)
Keywords:	Tourism, Extractivism, Coloniality
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Visual Cultures > Centre for Research Architecture Visual Cultures
Dates:	Date Event 5 October 2023 Completed
Event Location:	Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom
Date range:	5 October 2023
Item ID:	35986
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2024 10:25
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2024 10:25
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/35986

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