What Does “Authentic” Tourism Really Mean?

Travelers LOVE to go off the beaten path and experience something “authentic,” which often means visiting ethnic minorities or Indigenous groups. But what do locals think about being tourist traps? Dena Takruri goes on two very different “hill tribe” experiences in Thailand - a village set up just for tourists and a homestay run by a young Karen woman in the mountains - to find out.
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[@ajplus]

Check out 13:00 where we follow up on how COVID-19 has impacted these hill tribe communities. Do you think experiencing another culture when traveling can ever be truly “authentic”?

[@fionafiona1146]

As Au Pair it felt like it... That's no the most common mode of "travel" tho.

[@macroxela]

It depends on how you define authentic but based on the definition in the video nope unless you actually live and work there for months or years surrounded only by locals and even then it can be hard.

[@kilbeam99]

This week I realized that the summer tourism across the world has basically been cancelled. I am extremely lucky that my country is not dependant on tourism. It is honestly a scare thought. There are a lot of people in the world who are completely dependant on tourism. Now, their won't be any tourists and their income goes down to zero. I can't imagine how horrifying it must be to have your entire income vanish all of a sudden.

[@aoibhealfae]

I'm a Malaysian and its kinda weird that most of these "authentic tourist" experiences are just me going to see my relatives in rural areas. But their source of income through tourism have been cut off; Is there a way to help these people monetarily to help them tide through the COVID-19 outbreak? Considering most are likely undocumented, I don't see they will receive any governmental aid, let alone access to healthcare.

[@erintreez]

It would be nice if some of these people who take these types of trips would donate/support the groups they visited or were going to visit. I don't believe the government is inclined to help, especially when many of these minority people are stateless. I think it's possible to have a more authentic experience in a country when you don't do tourist things, but seek to hang out with locals and experience everyday life. Thank you for you and your team's thoughtful work, as well as those who welcomed you so warmly in Thailand! 💜

[@eomguel9017]

This video leaves you with a bittersweet aftertaste. With the tourist industry booming in previous years, it seemed like it would be the best opportunity for many poor ethnic minorities in many countries to make a decent living. The question of how ethical it is to "exploit their cultures" has always been lingering there, but one must not forget that they are human beings as well who can adapt and are willing to change certain aspects of their culture to pursue their dreams and expectations. But with the current crisis, one can only speculate as to what the world will look like afterwards.

[@CrimsonAlchemist]

These Hill tribes are all from Myanmar, Thai businessmen in the 90s called them into Thailand to start these tourism businesses. It's sad. They're not authentic at all.

[@HaoQuachy]

You are so respectful. I wish more people were like you.

[@raybuggy11]

I think as long as you treat them like you are entering their home then you are okay. Be grateful, have manners, and be nice to them because they are human beings

[@politesociety]

I feel like it's important that the shops here are locally owned. Last time I went to Bali almost all of the shops were owned by foreigners. Tourism feels less awful when the money coming in is improving people's quality of life.

[@campkira]

local can not afford to get a loan....

[@FieryJuniper]

It seem most hill tribes are turning to tourism to make a living.

[@ainzooalgown7589]

probably decimated these few month with COVID19

[@lifegoeson1007]

Elder Lich I hope not 😕

[@TheLungNuad]

Yes, it is.for their living.after growing plants, vegetable, friuts.this​ is​ their 2nd jobs.nowaday

[@helloemvee5877]

It sounds like tourists who seek the "authentic" experience do not want these hill tribes to "industrialize" and have a more advance life through better "homestay" huts for guests, toilets, trashcans, booths to sell souvenirs, etc. Even if these people arent cooking on a fire anymore, the culture is within the people, food, clothes,etc., not how they choose to cook, poop, and throw out trash.

[@lyreczka]

Yeah, good point, this is also something to think about for anthropologists who visit remote tribes: is leaving them untouched really the best thing they can do for them? It's expressed for example by the end of the documentary "First Contact: Lost Tribe of the Amazon" kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJyTlaKXrthqn9U

[@campkira]

well at least the to local made some money....

[@willowsprite]

Exactly, what is wrong for them to run a business? Think of it as a store owner selling their wares. Tourists are just uncomfortable because they went there specifically to gawk at them instead to shopping for souvenirs.

[@CrimsonAlchemist]

These Hill tribes are all from Myanmar, Thai businessmen in the 90s called them into Thailand to start these tourism businesses them and like they said they're refugees from Myanmar. It's sad. They're not authentic at all.

[@helloemvee5877]

Like I've said, the culture is within the people, not based on giving tourists an "experience". Authenticity should not be based on what tourists expect it should be.

[@np2679]

Appropriating is when you take something and try to reclaim/rename something, Furthermore when you take something without permission. So when taking that picture and saying is this appropriating is the wrong word. Either way Very well shot and good host.

[@MrMisanthrope_]

That is the proper definition. However, it came about from the oppression of culture. Then later used/ claim by the oppressor as new and cool. My thought is does that relationship have to exist, for that definition? As when foreigners go and meet natives in their land they are happy with the embrace of their culture. The anger and pain with cultural appropriation is from the oppressed. In which now their culture is seen as cool when they were force suppress and hide their identity. And if that relationship didn't exist it could be seen as variant of the country culture and history.

[@stepahead5944]

Thank you for putting words to this. I've learned alot. Reminds me of, "History is HIS-story" when people are presumptuous enough to decide for others what is and isn't authentic. If anything what tourist experience is the 'new authentic'. The irony is when tourists would rather the people they travel to see perform their version of "authentic" more than what may be real now. These sort of issues are also raised within the tourism efforts of certain villages and ethnic minority groups in China. It's relatable.

[@ChefL]

"Authentic" is a truly loaded word. Every traveler has a different level of tolerance for straying outside one's own cultural comfort zone. The woman weaving made such an important point when she said "We're just normal human beings." Normal human beings work and make a living in those places, and to call them "human zoos" only reflects on the point of view of the observer. Traveling with the mindset that you're going to meet other human beings who have figured out how to survive in a different place, being respectful, being curious, and not judging that which is different as being bad or lesser maintains authenticity for the traveler as well as the host.

[@ashleyyukikoleon2210]

Does your home stay host have a Patreon? I appreciate her work ethic. She’s her own boss and helps support her community. I would hate for her business to permanently shut down.

[@mmps18]

This gave me so much to think about regarding travel. Compelling and nuanced. Keep telling stories like this Dena, you're amazing!

[@ricebear5182]

Maybe there is some staging, but the staging helps them to maintain their lifestyle. And money helps them to invest in their village.

[@macroxela]

I always found it strange and somewhat insulting when others worried about 'appropriating' my culture. Many affluent Westerners might find it offensive to wear neck rings or put on a sombrero and shake some maracas or wear a kimono but for those of us who belong in minorities, we are actually happy (or neutral at worst) others are accepting and taking our culture. If tourists/foreigners didn't appropriate our customs & traditions they would die out in the modern world. But with foreigners they get a second life. And whenever they criticize us for this or tell us it is oppressive we tell them, 'Who are you to oppress our right to keep our customs & traditions from dying out? Who are you to tell us what to do with our culture and who we should give permission to use our culture?' If you don't want to appropriate our culture that's fine but you shouldn't shame others to do the same.

[@atticusrumi]

Please don't speak for all minorities or ethnic gourps. The main issue with appropriation is that poc culture is being looked down upon and if a white person engages in said culture it is ok. Take black hair for example. To this day black people are treated badly for their black hairstyles. When a white person does that hairstyle it suddenly is appropriate and not frowned up. I'm not saying to not engage in other cultures at all but please have respect for that culture. When minorities are not belittled or discrimated against because if their culture it is not an issue anymore.

[@elijahmikhail4566]

Atticus Rumi But that’s the issue right? Some people don’t find it offensive that whites people gawk at their culture because they benefit from this fetishization of minority cultures. I personally don’t mind foreigners engaging in my culture because my people are in a similar situation to Nukul where we benefit from tourism as well. But the moment a tourist adorns garments with actual cultural importance, that’s when it becomes offensive to me. Obviously, the situation between white and African-Americans is a different dynamic because they are two nations who cohabitate where one suffers socially, politically and economically at the hands of the other. I can’t and won’t claim to know how you feel about it, but you shouldn’t speak for me or other minorities either because our experiences aren’t the same.

[@HudaefCares]

Yeah, I never really understood what cultural appropriation is. Borrowing other people's culture is how civilizations progress. As long as you're polite and respectful most tourist spots won't give a fuck. And why is taking pictures with a Long Neck (god that's an awful tribe name) offensive? That's like saying that taking pictures with a geisha or dressing up like a geisha is offensive. As long as you're respectful and do it properly it's fine. And those accusing them of inauthenticity? It's a tourist spot, what did you expect? It's designed for tourists.

[@MalaysianTropikfusion]

@@trematathreat From a fellow Southeast Asian: If you find guests touching your belongings offensive, maybe hide them away instead of displaying them like normal pieces of home decor. That, or you can actually warn them about touching your stuff, like most sensible people do. Expecting guests to know what decor can and cannot be touched is, quite frankly, ridiculous. Even more so is expecting them to know that they're not supposed to take pictures. The logic just isn't there.

[@DevynCairns]

I believe the issue is that when talking about this sort of thing people don't distinguish between immigrants and people in their native country. If you are a stigmatized immigrant or even any minority, it's really frustrating for people of the majority group to appropriate your culture when you use your culture as a way to bond with each other. Outside of that context though, people often feel quite the opposite and want to share their culture with as many people who come to visit them as possible. There is a huge difference between being a minority that has to assert their own right to exist and having your own place and not needing to do that. I'm not sure that the Thai minorities in these videos would be as welcoming to Thai people who look down on them and I think that's the key difference: you don't want to have your culture taken without consent.

[@danielvasquez3758]

Great content!! Hopefully there’s more to come!

[@atticusrumi]

I get that tourism is their livelihood but it still feels very weird. Like this is some wealth imbalance shit. It feels very imperialistic but maybe that's just my guilt, living on the "other" side? Anyway, thanks for this series. Being stuck at home this really lessens my wanderlust.

[@ronkirk5099]

Any foreign travel broadens your worldview and boosts your empathy toward other peoples.

[@darianat6623]

I've always been conflicted about this. I'm a foreigner living here. They seem to be happy it provides a source of income that the local wouldn't otherwise have. For example, 400 baht for that scarf is just 12 dollars, but 12 dollars goes far here! However, I wish those who didn't want to partake had better alternatives to make a stable living.

[@johnd8243]

Dena 😻

[@toulonmiah5521]

She is the only reason I watch aj+ because of dena and real stories and real issue.

[@georgephilis]

Love this girl and her amazing travel stories, very well balanced, always on point.

[@gia9551]

Kinda similar to my family’s area in south Italy. That’s often some of the only business to at you can open is tourism and souvenir shops, but then it lets the younger people learn the traditions like hand making pasta and textiles etc and then also staying at or shopping in the huts we have called trulli

[@keithhh]

I love this series. Answers a lot of questions don’t have enough courage to ask.

[@Navostar1]

This was great! Thanks so much for doing this.

[@HansCasauay]

Thank you for your very informative video. I am a teacher and I always show this video to my heritage tourism class. I also love your insights about being a responsible and sensitive tourist. God bless! Sending warmth from Philippines.

[@likquidsteel]

Dena's trip is what I would call authentic

[@bruceliang5612]

This video really fascinates me,both their living habits and culture are authentic,particular the symbolic neck ring,unique

[@jesipohl6717]

I work in tourism in Berlin. I have the privilege to refuse service to cruise ship people. I prefer to work with people that have a vested and invested interest in Berlin, I tend to despise what I call "bucket-list" people...Only come to fill out some influencers bucket-list, never reflective enough to ask themselves instead "can I participate"? Local peoples worldwide are not a tourists instrument for growth, not an object, they are people. Ask yourself, do I have a friend or locally relevant reason to be here? Can I participate or am I making a zoo of it? It is very black/white, if you think it isn't you are the problem and you should be disqualified for that reason alone. Many of us have the right and ability to do many things, but that doesn't mean those things are socially desirable. The worst is when tourism becomes an addiction, because mass-tourism is never sustainable. The more addicted an economy becomes to tourism, the more of its resources are pulled from locally relevant activity, the more outsiders recieve greater welcome than locals. Emancipation through subordination is not emancipation.

[@BuddyL]

Great work as always, Dena. And I *love* the part at 06:20 when you talk of White tourists 'discovering' 🇹🇭 (you vocally put the word 'discover' in quotes).🤣 Just because the natives get paid by tourists doesn't make it any less White privilege exploitation. The cultures don't exist purely for tourists' observation. *Having said that* , I applaud the natives making 💱 from international gawkers. Watching this, I'm reminded of that *bell hooks* quote (from her 2006 book _Homegrown: engaged cultural criticism 📖) about how Whites go to minority neighbourhoods to be trendy... which inevitably results said Whites gentrifying the neighbourhood (she uses Harlem as an example).

[@cameroonking0076]

This should be on the discovery channel

[@MrTomtomtest]

Authenticity can only be found randomly that's the thing. Like sharing a coconut with farmers in Sri Lanka when your car broke down. I like attractions that show you traditional work because they both share their tradition and support the local economy but those aren't created equal and aren't authentic even if the work is.

[@thetruth6238]

I LOVE THAILAND! I was only able to stay there for 5 days and it really broke my heart to have to leave back to work, I felt deeply saddened when I returned but I have to make my money just like the Thai people need to as well. Please do not degrade them by calling them human zoo's as that is extremely offensive, money is money and if they are fine with opening up shop like that then so be it, but it is our duty as westerners to show them as much respect to these people hosting us while we are there. Please God take care of the Thai people.

[@LeonardoDeVinci1452]

From my experience, I have found most indigenous people cater to westerners. I saw in when I was in the 4 corners in North America. And Michoacan Mexico. I have family in both places.

[@akmalznal.7454]

Very enlightening vid!

[@Sabahan]

It's a very westernised (US?) way of looking at things. The title can be offensive if they know that is the reason why they are being interviewed. Also, I believe the concept of cultural misappropriation does not even widely understood, even exist in many places in Asia. But trying clothing or accessories, that not misappropriation.

[@amir_fahmi]

Deceiving clueless tourist is Israel special skills.

[@kakumee]

What is the instrument her dad I think was playing? It looks cool. I think the etnic people in the show look cool. They are trying to survive in a modren world.

[@kingspud1983]

This last part absolutely breaks my heart.

[@MX-Vette]

When this is over I would love to fly out to see these places, but it seems like in the UK we no longer have planes out of here. I shall have to get a boat and walk 😅

[@GeloDianela]

1:12 “is that offensive?” it wasn’t until she asked....

[@joanocasmourato]

This is a basic idea in Anthropologie, the observer always change the observed, not just because of the fact that we all change our behavior when we know it is being observed but especially because the observer always prints their expectations on the focus of observation.

[@carlosmarin8020]

As correct as it gets.

[@PinkNintendoDuo87]

As human beings, influence is inevitable (especially toward each other).

[@dyhppyx]

You’re a great travel host

[@owo4470]

i always never got why people called these sort of culture unreal... like, just because they changed it slightly, does it mean theyre fake already?

[@Yeboto_Wotsa29]

If you visit Northeast region of India, you'll be amazed... Visit Nagaland Hornbill Festival, December 1-10 every Year.

[@Sapporoweather]

12:04 That's my university NTUST at Taiwan.

[@drifter4training]

And this is perhaps why Milan and Kyoto had so much tourist influx (despite the money flowing into their economy) that it reached to the point where the locals/residents there got annoyed and showing discontent.. Kyoto had to additional rules and restrictions e.g. no entering private property, no photography of geisha etc, drone etc.. heard Milan had to hire or put additional security to limit the flow of tourists entering in and out..

[@muneebmoin2518]

Loving traditional but in complete poverty vs taking a few pictures and entertaining shallow tourists to get enough money to feed family and send kids to school. Choice seems obvious even if some disagree

[@carbondated21]

That climb was authentic af... small batch rocks

[@deepaktripathi3707]

Its a really good video but the title is really really negative. They are just people trying to make a living. Be safe everyone.

[@sittichaitipsom8955]

Thanks,

[@neigeepierrot4694]

They sound like lovely people I wish them well

[@dcg366]

Wishing you family staying healthy

[@napoleondesagun5990]

These hill tribe people look more respectable and "authentic" than most 'salarymen' here in the Philippines. If you've been to metro manila and have seen the slums (and the way its residents act 'authentically') you can see a different side of having to cater more to the modern world in the worst ways possible as opposed to living true lives dictated by the ebb and flow of a so-called civilized society.

[@izmark671]

About 5:00 reminds me of campsites in campgrounds. Goodtimes.

[@tanyouliang]

Stopping the whole economy hit the poorest the hardest. Developed countries can afford to stay at home, but there's a huge chunk of the population has a different priority in life.

[@dessappy]

they either do this tourist thing or become a drug lord smuggling cocaine from boarder. Our late King tried to fight this drug pandemic by providing farming skills. Regarding citizenship, it's very hard for them to get citizenship because of our law is very strict and it's hard to keep track all of the hilltribers since they usually live in remote moutain.

[@travelneverending3637]

Dena is very beautiful

[@caimaccoinnich9594]

Cultural appropriation BARELY exists as a concept outside of the US and the woke West. I don't get why this woman doesn't get that.

[@marlon94124]

If you are planning to travel to an island country where the majority of people who speak English in Asia, you may consider doing a documentary of the Philippines./

[@kellykerr5225]

In Thailand they just have food. We get to eat Thai food and Chinese food and Mexican food, etc. I love learning about other cultures.

[@DevynCairns]

That's not true, there's definitely at least Chinese restaurants in Thailand and there's many Chinese-influenced Thai dishes People everywhere in the world enjoy food from other cultures and end up blending it with their own in unique ways.

[@taeng0077]

I think the word that people are looking for isn't necessarily "authentic", but more like "experiential" or "true" cultural experiences that are minimally intrusive/exploitative. The experiences with both of the women in the video were different but the first possibly feels more exploitative to some tourists because of the zoo-like feel. BUT once you spoke with her it was clear that she is a normal person with a story and a life that feels hidden behind this "idealized" experience. The main point is that to have a cultural exchange, it's necessary to have conversations with people and learn about each other.

[@chrish.7965]

This isn’t very surprising. If you take tours for tourists you’ll often see things which aimed towards or adjusted for tourists. But it’s still good for the people who make a living selling their products and providing their services.

[@vandango1968]

Been there 10 years ago before youtube americans moved in. Boring place but our women were excited about the tribe's hand work.

[@John77Doe]

I thought we brought all the hill tribes to Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin after the Vietnam War, when they managed to fight their way out of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to Thailand. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@maestoso47]

John Doe You mean the Hmong?

[@DrawnByDandy]

It seems like the homestay is more... vulnerable than interacting with hilltribe people at the market stalls? Sure, the market stalls are staged, but if you turn your very home and family into the tourist attraction, where are the boundaries? Where's the work/life balance? It seems to be improving the life of this family at least, but I hope they get to have more options for making a living.

[@GrandmasterDinnerRoll]

This is true in most countries. Even in Europe, tourists prefer to travel to ethnic minority regions (Brittany, South France, Catalonia, Corsica, Moravia, Kashubia, Frisia, etc.), which ironically just erodes the unique cultures that exist in those places, since it trivializes and commodifies their existences, and attracts their colonizers (French, Castilians, Czechs, Poles, Dutch, respectively) to help further exploitation. Sad shit. You want to help out minority regions? Arm them and help them defend themselves.

[@lolz_99]

Yall should read A Small Place by Jamaica Kinkaid it deals with tourism, colonialism etc etc

[@neigeepierrot4694]

lolz99 will do especially since this such an interesting topic thanks for the suggestion

[@Nawaf84]

Tamahina Pierrot “The Ugly Tourist” focuses on the same topic and was written by the same author.

[@MaximSupernov]

I really feel bad on how all these PC things are effecting people. You constantly need to remind yourself that you shouldn't cultural appropriate others 24/7. I'm sure the next would be eating a Chinese takeaway is a cultural appropriation...sigh

[@earthtochloe28]

Are there ways people can help donate to those affected by the loss of tourism income in Thailand?

[@Organic.Mechanic]

All I say is welcome to the world kid 😉

[@willowsprite]

I wouldn't say the first onebis not authentic. She is basically managing a store selling items she made herself. Her tribal identity is just used as advertisement for her store. If she just sat there or walked around doing nothing but getting pictures taken by tourist then it would be awkward.

[@padleo]

Hi, I got a question, I would like to learn to cook Thai food. Do they have something like that? Thanks,

[@robbinkalaamalho3847]

I wonder how many people commented asking why you’re traveling durning the COVID-19 pandemic dispite your disclaimer at the start of the video. 😂

[@Oridux]

The tourists: "We want to be like a local when we travel." Also the tourists: Don't bother to learn the language when in the country

[@ovh992]

This whole episode is absurd and in fact racist colonialism. Would you say this about restaurants in Germany where the employees are dressed in dirndles? Is it inauthentic to visit the Moulin Rouge in Paris to watch dancers perform a dance that is 100 years out of style? People love to call lower class lives in poor countries not authentic if they dare to try to make a living off the tourist trade. It is not for ignorant Caucasians or the upper classes to decide what is authentic lower class culture. It is modern day colonialism to say "well your peasant life would be more authentic if you didn't have an electric stove."

[@CoolBadger]

The reporter is attractive! 😍

[@mikerphone.]

I don't think that the likening to a zoo is that far off. Im just not under any impression that it's any diffrent anywhere else. If visiting people abroad working to feed their children and send them to school is like going to a human zoo then what do you call what you see behind the scenes at a McDonalds, or amazon, any other Multinational corporation? The reason they want to travel to America is the same reason Americans have the "dream". To escape hardship, mundanity, to find a place where we're comfortable and safe. It's an incentive model that keeps us all preoccupied over bettering our own situations rather than all of humanity as a whole. Unless you're part of the 1%, we're all animals in a zoo. Our keepers ensure we're just healthy enough that we can work hard but they poison us just enough that we need to get treatment. They brainwash us to listen to their commands and to respond to their demands. Every part of human life has become commoditized. This is life under global capitalism. Where the corporatocratic oligarchy rules us from their Ceo chairs. Pulling the strings on our puppet governments and declaring war on the poorest people around the globe to steal the only things they have left. Their land and the resources on it... We might be in a zoo, but they are the pigs, glutinous meat bags ravaged by greed. We can all only hope that one day we all wake up and smell the bacon for what it is, free oursleves of the zoo so that we may mingle harmoniously in nature as we were intended to. By which i mean furthering the species and the species we have become stewards for instead of the success of our market place.

[@Sheridan04]

This lady looked like such a fool by asking people if wearing their cultural jewelry was "offensive". Like wth they like tourists, they don't have the luxury to be offended by such things

[@lurkingarachnid7475]

If you want to be authentic, the sleep 😴 on the dirt floor it's good for you

[@superduperjoi6800]

Oof this fueled by colonizer mentality

[@avi5953]

superduperjoi what do you mean?

[@MrMisanthrope_]

Cultural appropriation came about from the oppression of culture. Then later used/ claim by the oppressor as new and cool. My thought is does that relationship have to exist, for that definition? As when foreigners go and meet natives in their land they are happy with the embrace of their culture. The anger and pain with cultural appropriation is from the oppressed. In which now their culture is seen as cool when they were force suppress and hide their identity. And if that relationship didn't exist it could be seen as variant of the country culture and history.

[@pfever]

1:15 it's not offensive? lol that's the most American think you can say, in other countries we never consider offensive experiencing other cultures

[@oscarchien7537]

Hey, Did you hear about some tourists in Thailand getting cheated, robbed by the local gangs & jailed by the police (b4 all these corona virus pandemics)? Pls comment on your findings. Thnx

[@joaquin.f]

That laugh 😂 11:34

[@kongming2005]

It is good that tourist starts to realized and prefer the authentic way in travelling. Many of the previous tours were fabricated to show what traveler wants to see thus there are so many misunderstanding between cultures like if you see a man with a little round black hat, then he is a Chinese to the west, if we see someone rudely put their leg on the table then he must be westerner to the east.

[@smokeandmirr0rs]

my problem with this is the AJ+ teams positionality: who are you to report on these people? you dont speak the language, and you have no connection to the place, so why does the principle, *nothing about us, without us* not apply in this case? its gross and reeks of western exceptionalism. it makes me feel that although the series is well-intentioned, its missing the point and inadvertently exploitative in its own right.

[@frilink]

9:29, those roof aren't waterproof....

[@novemberblake9505]

Actually the water mainly runs down the sides, it’s very rare for it to really rain inside

[@technojunkie123]

I used to have a "tourist vs travel" mentality. But honestly, I've moved away from that black & white thinking. Nearly all form of traveling, whether it be for fun, education, or work, will always have some shade of authenticity and inauthenticity because you're not a local, you're not part of that culture, and to truly understand and integrate into a local culture takes tremendous time & effort that most travelers don't have the time/ability/desire to do so. And that's not an inheritable good or bad thing. For me what I try to do now is understand the reason why I want to visit a place, research the ways to meet that goal in wherever I'm visiting, and do my best to try to spend my money at places where I've researched are ethical, fair, and most beneficial to the local community. Typically, that's included things both on the beaten tourist path and off it as well.

[@kaseymorist8991]

3:58... dry cough

[@32hypersonic]

Cultural appropriation I see none. If they want to share their culture let them

[@fionafiona1146]

Exploitation trough power imbalance

[@gathitoloco83]

Appropriating.......white/black or blue people eating tacos is not "appropriating", is just them eating tacos, as a Mexican American, unless you call it something else and you calling it coming from your European or Asian Or whatever, culture, then yes you trying to appropriate it, other than that you just put it on or eat....

[@convulsed]

Empowered and authentic are first world terms. #unpleasanttruths

[@sorenolsen1165]

Very white savior vibe from a non white girl. xd. Like when people talk to black people like children

[@panafricangriot]

This is a strange case of trying to do good but doing harm. You've started with the premise that peoples lives are entertainment. By searching out "an authentic experience" you have put you, the white persons needs first. And that is the power imbalance. I dare say the first part is the more ethical one, because no one cares about your needs, take only what is offered, and move along. If you want a holiday stay in your hotel room, go to the public attractions, eat the street food, converse with the locals. If a peoples culture truly interests you, move there for a year, get a job, buy a hut, or sit at home in your country and go to a library. What is culture? How boring would these people find your own lives in Nebraska or Edmonton or Liverpool? Westerners come to a place and and want the locals to mud their hair, and weave a fabric, blood a cow and skin a goat, and have a roaring night time dance in the single weekend they visit. Things that happens in their lives over a year. How are you the foreigner to determine what is authentic to my culture? Take what is offered, even when it feels staged, enjoy your stay, do no harm and move along. If you must go the second route of the homestay, treat it respectfully, as accommodations, and stop go-go ga-gaing about culture and making people perform for you. if shes charging you 12£ to wear her necklets then pay her 12£ to wear her necklets. Stop infantilizing the locals, allow them to exploit you the way you are so obviously exploiting them, because you're searching for an authentic experience because you're worried about how it will look to your friends, just the same way that they probably don't have a ritual coming of age dance every weekend.

[@korlor3465]

It's cultural appropriation, says the one doing the appropriating. Ironic.

[@tumbox9204]

You clearly do not know what it means.

[@zytrik1]

It’s all BS. Tourism is just leaving your usual place of living. Anything is authentic tourism.

[@chidigoziem1482]

Everything about this video is pretentious. These are just humans trying to make a living in difficult economic situations.

[@AuntWeezy07]

Exactly! I was thinking that people all over the world do this. You have to have a hustle to survive these days...

[@campkira]

well at least the local made money but the video would made more each video...

[@Dommy521]

Can you guys do a video on how the Obama administration handled the Ebola epidemic?

[@jordanvas9025]

God cares for nature,animals,birds,fish n humans, God Jesus cares that v don't go to hell but be saved by Jesus death n ressurrection. C Genesis in Bible in Google.

[@l3locparty]

I think this video attempts to apply racial dynamics in the US to a context that the video creator clearly doesn't understand. This is lazy journalism that doesn't take into account a myriad of issues in the region such as 1) the alternative to tourism is drug trafficking which historically has been an issue in the area; 2) this is the only source of legitimate income for these groups since many do not have citizenship hence stringent travel restrictions and work available; 3) which ethnic groups is this video addressing? Displaced populations from Myanmar or ethnic nomadic tribes? I think better research would help understand the issues in the area rather than woke outrage.

[@harlowewithane]

l3locparty well said. Applying American racial and social concerns to foreign nations is like a type of “issues imperialism”.