Is dark tourism morally right?


Is dark tourism morally right? While the tourist motivations to visit sites of a sensitive nature may be diverse, dark tourism remains a morally relevant issue that involves a questioning of moral judgment (Rojek,1997; Stone, 2009). It has always raised issues of how morality is collectively conveyed and individually constructed.


What is the psychology behind dark tourism?

Tourists' interest in places associated with death and tragedy may also be related to educational goals [9]. Curiosity and the need to learn and understand are entwined. Dark tourism develops curiosity and satisfies the desire for knowledge of past suffering and pain [26].


What is the most ethical way to travel?

Supporting local and small businesses rather than foreign or corporate. While staying in a beautiful resort and having a huge, well-known tour company may be a little easier to book, supporting small businesses is a much better way to travel ethically. It's good to support the local community you are traveling in.


Why is dark tourism wrong?

Man's obsession with death, existential contemplation, human suffering and spirituality all play their part in the proliferation of dark tourism, and such destinations rise to feelings of melancholy, sadness, pity and fear – all aberrantly pleasurable emotions for humans.


What is the future of dark tourism?

The Dark Tourism market is estimated to reach US$ 30 Billion in 2022. As per the report, sales are forecast to increase at a robust 2% CAGR, with the market valuation reaching US$ 36.5 Billion by 2032.


Is it ethical to visit dark tourism?

It depends,” says Granato. Generally, she finds that most archaeologists, academics, and museum curators think that the default answer is “yes, it is ethical” and may possibly question it later. “But I think the default answer should change to 'no'—with the caveat that sometimes it is ethical.”


Who invented dark tourism?

The term “dark tourism” was coined in 1996, by two academics from Scotland, J. John Lennon and Malcolm Foley, who wrote “Dark Tourism: The Attraction to Death and Disaster.”


What is an example of dark tourist?

Destinations of dark tourism include castles and battlefields such as Culloden in Scotland and Bran Castle and Poienari Castle in Romania; former prisons such as Beaumaris Prison in Anglesey, Wales and the Jack the Ripper exhibition in the London Dungeon; sites of natural disasters or man made disasters, such as ...


What is dark tourism and why is it so popular?

Dark tourism comprises visiting real or recreated places related with death, suffering, disgrace, or the macabre [1,2]. From the perspective of dark tourism places, it is important to understand what drives people to visit them to design satisfying experiences.


Which country is famous for dark tourism?

Dark Tourism Destination #1: Chernobyl, Ukraine A huge area, known as the exclusion zone, is now open for tourists to explore.


What are the 3 ethical issues in tourism?

Ethical tourists consider the impact of their actions with regards to the three pillars of sustainable tourism– the environment, the economy and society.


Who started dark tourism?

The term “dark tourism” was coined in 1996, by two academics from Scotland, J. John Lennon and Malcolm Foley, who wrote “Dark Tourism: The Attraction to Death and Disaster.”


Is it ethical to visit concentration camps?

Visiting former concentration camps is a very personal and individualised experience. Consequently it is not generally ethically appropriate to approach visitors at the site, as it is difficult to ascertain what personal and emotional connection they may have to the events that happened there.


What is the bad side of dark tourism?

This form of tourism attracts many visitors and has its economic benefits to those working in the sector and the area where such a destination is located. However, Dark Tourism often goes hand in hand with ethical dilemmas and critiques, such as the gain of economic profits and the behavior of the visitors.


How can I be a good dark tourist?

“At such sites,” he says, “what is important is place authenticity, getting a feel for the atmosphere, even aura, of a place where some significant dark chapters of history played out. So concentrate on that aspect.” One way to do this, of course, is by refraining from excessive photography, and particularly selfies.