The dominant public policy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in relation to favelas during the 1960s and 1970s, was slum clearance, especially towards those located in noble areas of the city and possessing the most privileged views. The press encouraged the removals, the daily life of these communities was scrutinized by photographs published in various newspapers, and analyzed through the lens of documentary filmmakers, such as Sergio Peo. The research question addressed the role played by tourism in the discourse that supported the removal of these favelas. The study was conducted using the evidential method as proposed by the italian historian Garlo Ginzburg, and research carried out in the fields of Tourism, Cinema and History. The results suggest that the development of tourism in the city has integrated the discourse in favour of favela removals.