Survivor: Guatemala 3

Tonight CBS airs the second episode of Survivor: Guatemala. To "celebrate" the event, I'd like to share with you an editorial published two days ago in El Periódico, one of Guatemala's major newspapers.

As I read it, my thoughts went from "yep" to "right" to "WHAT THE HELL"?!?

Let's see if you can figure out where this editorial went very, very wrong:

Survivor Guatemala

Last Thursday, the 11th season of Survivor premiered on CBS with episodes filmed entirely in Yaxhá, a Mayan archeological site located in the Peten region.

According to preliminary figures, the program was viewed by 18 million people in the United States, a result which could be interpreted as a public relations success for our country in the U.S. tourism market and which, logically, should result in more visitors to Guatemala's Mayan archeological sites.

There is no doubt that capitalizing on tourism is one of the keys to our country's economic development. This "Land of the Quetzal" is blessed with true natural and cultural wonders which distinguish it and make it unique...

Of course it is not enough to simply promote our distinctive tourist attractions. Our visitors must also be assured that they, and their possessions, are safe during their stay here.

Undoubtedly, news about our growing crime problem counteracts any efforts to promote the country, as does the poverty which afflicts us. No one wants to go to a country and have to suffer looking at miserable, starving, or destitute people.

It is urgent, therefore, that Guatemala focuses on of the themes of public safety, justice, and economic renewal, all of which remain the unfinished tasks of the current administration.

I'm guessing that all but the most Republican among you were quick to spot the offensive conclusion: it is not Guatemala's miserable, starving, or destitute that really suffer, but rather the tourists that have to look at them. And that is why the government needs to tackle the tough issues of crime, justice, and economic development.

I'd usually make some really sarcastic comment at this point, but there's nothing more that I could possibly say.

Tags: Guatemala, Survivor, Tourism