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Intelligence Squared

Skiing in Afghanistan: Is Tourism in Repressive Regimes Justifiable?

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, Arts, News Commentary

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2023

⏱️ 36 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Whether it's skiing in Afghanistan, eating lobster in Cuba, or a package tour in North Korea - here are some things to consider for when you plan your next holiday.  In this episode of the podcast we explore the ethical boundaries of travel and tourism to countries under a repressive regime. Is it justifiable to travel to such places, potentially aiding oppressive governments with tourism dollars? Or, could these visits serve as a crucial bridge, creating an avenue for dialogue and cultural exchange, and an opportunity for the outside world to witness the realities on the ground? Our host for this episode is Philippa Thomas, and our guests are James Willcox, Suki Kim, and Evan Dyer. — We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.  Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.  And if you’d like to get ad-free access to all Intelligence Squared podcasts, including exclusive bonus content, early access to new episodes and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today for just £4.99, or the equivalent in your local currency .  Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:09.0

A city-sized playground in a vast desert, where the tallest building in the world dwarfs

0:14.2

super-sized superyots, and there's no end to high-end shops.

0:21.0

So go big, go bold, go beautiful, and fly to Dubai with Virgin Atlantic, book now.

0:30.0

Notification from Monzo.

0:33.0

You've spent $54 at Crystal Spray-Tan.

0:36.0

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0:40.0

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0:43.0

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0:45.0

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0:47.0

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0:50.0

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0:55.0

Search Monzo Travel today.

0:57.0

UK residents, terms and conditions apply.

1:01.0

Welcome to Intelligent Squared.

1:03.0

I'm producer Catherine Hughes.

1:05.0

On today's episode of the podcast, we're exploring the ethical boundaries of travel and tourism

1:10.0

to countries under a repressive regime.

1:13.0

In the discussion that you're about to hear, our panel asks,

1:16.0

is it justifiable to travel to such places, potentially aiding oppressive governments with tourism dollars,

1:22.0

or could these visits serve as a crucial bridge?

1:25.0

Creating an avenue for dialogue and cultural exchange,

...

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