The Role of NGOs in Touristic Securitization: The Case of La Antigua Guatemala

NGOs play a dual role in touristic securitization, making Western tourists feel safe while inadvertently perpetuating inequalities and human insecurities for local, often indigenous, populations. This study focuses on La Antigua Guatemala, a key tourism destination, to analyze how international NGOs contribute to and engage in securing tourism. While they enhance tourist safety, the research reveals that touristic securitization reinforces existing power imbalances, particularly affecting poor Guatemalans whom NGOs aim to assist. The findings highlight how this process both reflects and exacerbates intersecting inequalities, creating distinct worlds of (in)security.

Becklake, S. (2019). The Role of NGOs in Touristic Securitization: The Case of La Antigua Guatemala. Space and Culture, 23(1), 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1177/1206331219871888