Rio's favelas become hot tourist destination as visitors seek cultural immersion

Subscriber content previewBy LUCAS DUMPHREYS and ELÉONORE HUGHESAssociated PressiStock image [enlarge] The influx of curious visitors has inspired residents of the low-income communities to turn to tourism to generate cash. RIO DE JANEIRO — As record numbers of tourists descend upon Rio de Janeiro, many are looking beyond the city's iconic landmarks, seeking instead local tours in the city's favelas to learn more about the often-stigmatized territories that are also beacons of urban culture and art.