Guyana Considers Tourism at Jonestown Massacre Site

Guyana is set to transform the site of the infamous Jonestown massacre into a tourist attraction starting January 2025, with guided tours offered by Wanderlust Adventures for $650. The initiative, supported by the Guyanese government, aims to educate visitors about the events of 1978 when over 900 people died under cult leader Jim Jones's orders. Critics, including survivors and family members of the victims, argue that this commodification of tragedy disrespects the memories of those lost and fails to reflect the site’s painful history. Former U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who survived the massacre, expressed her horror at the idea of turning Jonestown into an 'adventure tourism' destination, advocating for a memorial instead. Proponents suggest that structured tours could provide important lessons about cult psychology and manipulation. The proposal has sparked a debate over the appropriateness of such tourism in a location marked by profound historical trauma.