Tourism and the Eritrean Diaspora

Abstract

Eritrean Diasporictourism is a striking example of how Diasporas are not only victims of the nation state, but also play a great role in wider transnational cultural and economic dynamics of change. The present economic and political situation in Eritrea and the stability reached in Milan has diminished the probability that Eritreans in the Diaspora will return to Eritrea to live. Nevertheless, many people in this Diaspora community return to Eritrea for holidays at least every two years. The Eritrean summer returnees invest in Eritrea by becoming its tourists. This paper explores the narratives of Eritreans in Milan around going to Eritrea on holiday and returning from their vacation, and questions the impact of their imaginary of Eritrea as a place for leisure and tourism. The returnee is much more than a simple tourist as she/he also performs a wider Diasporic identity, which acts as a separate but influential collective category.