Favela Tourism

Lesson overview

Tourists are taking drone selfies in Rio’s Rocinha favela, and the videos are going viral. But is it inspiring or exploitative? This ESL news lesson uses a real controversy to get your adult students talking about tourism, ethics, and social media. In the story, a local tour company trains favela residents as guides and drone pilots, while critics question whether turning a poor neighborhood into a content backdrop goes too far.

We also have a lesson on overtourism in Barcelona. Check out Tourists, Go Home, suitable for upper-intermediate students.