Touristification and urban extractivism in Latin American destinations: Heritage and conflicts in Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

Touristification emerges as a form of urban extractivism, driven by heritage recognition policies and linked to gentrification processes. This study highlights how Latin American destinations like Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) experience displacement and segregation due to the commodification of urban land, spurred by state-promoted tourism. The research employs a multiple-case strategy, combining primary and secondary sources with fieldwork—including interviews and photographic documentation—to analyze these dynamics. By examining the visual dimension of built environments, the study reveals how heritage recognition policies intersect with investment strategies, reshaping historical centers into international tourist hubs while exacerbating social conflicts.

Trivi, N. A., Moscoso, F. V., & Morales Blanco, N. M. (2023). Touristification and urban extractivism in Latin American destinations: Heritage and conflicts in Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). Journal of Urban Affairs, 46(6), 1205–1225. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2023.2242535