Residential Topurism: (De) Constructing Paradise

Americans are increasingly living out their retirement fantasies in Latin America. Through a case study of the traditional agricultural-based community of Boquette, Panama, McWatters (doctoral student, geography, U. of Texas at Austin) examines the physical and cultural changes occurring. He discusses differing conceptions of landscape by native and foreign residential tourists, and why these changes are driving away both. The book includes native resident perspectives, methodological notes, and photos, e.g. of real estate ads for buying "a slice of paradise" and of recent gated communities. Distributed in the US by UTP Distribution. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mason R. McWatters is a doctoral student in Geography at The University of Texas at Austin, where he previously earned a Master of Arts degree in Latin American Studies. His research interests are based in Central America and include such themes as consumption-oriented migration, representations of place and landscape, the socio-spatial effects of tourism, and the dynamic tension between preservation and development.