Mass tourism as cultural colonialism: an alien invasion analogy
Marcello Faletra draws a parallel between mass tourism and alien invasion, referencing the 1967 Cold War TV series 'The Invaders'. He argues that tourism reduces local histories to stereotypes, commodifies culture, and imposes a colonial aesthetic-economic model. The article critiques the transformation of cities into brands, the compulsory valorization of heritage through festivals and entertainment, and the servant-master dynamic in the tourism industry. Faletra cites thinkers like Poe, Baudelaire, Benjamin, Riesman, and Enzensberger, and concludes that the tourist is a 'culturicide' figure. The piece was published on Artribune in July 2026.
Key facts
- The article compares mass tourism to an alien invasion, referencing the 1967 TV series 'The Invaders'.
- Marcello Faletra is the author.
- The article critiques the commodification of local cultures and histories.
- It describes tourism as a form of aesthetic-cultural colonialism.
- The piece mentions the reduction of cities to brands and the imposition of stereotypes.
- It references thinkers such as Poe, Baudelaire, Benjamin, Riesman, and Enzensberger.
- The article was published on Artribune in July 2026.
- The article argues that tourism turns local communities into folklore and attractions.
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- Artribune