Migrant tourism: A way to boost the economy of Latin American countries

Abstract

The paradox of migration lies precisely in the economic spillover generated in both the countries of origin and the countries of destination. Human mobility has been part of the development of nations since their beginnings, and as social beings, mankind has historically moved across geographic spaces where ideological, symbolic, and physical barriers did not usually exist. However, the world has changed—not only in its geography but also in its migration policies—and in this sense, people have had to adapt to these new realities. Today, in the twenty-first century, irregular migration generates significant economic spillovers. 

In this article, such analysis will be important, but even more so the analysis of tourism-driven migration, since it generates significant economic contributions in Latin American countries, which possess important tourist attractions. Through recreation, these attractions stimulate and activate the tourism sector, encouraging employment, gastronomy, traditions, culture, and commerce in all their expressions. 

The objective is to describe, as impartially as possible, how migrant tourism should be strengthened, protected, and developed by countries not only during vacation seasons but on a permanent basis. Under this premise, a bibliographic and hemerographic review of books and peer-reviewed journals was carried out, leading to the bold conclusion that local, national, and international tourism are important sources of income that undoubtedly contribute to invigorating the economies of the countries selected for this purpose.