Conclusion: dark tourism in a digital post-truth society

Purpose: Reviews the Dark tourism concept as it applies to visitation, understanding and education in order to determine whether a gap exists between academic research and literature, the operation of dark tourism sites and the motivations of visitors.
Design/methodology/approach: Summarizes development of the dark tourism concept over a 20 year period and draws on the papers and debate among contributors to this theme issue in order to determine the role played by dark tourism in contemporary society.
Findings: Concludes that the concept of dark tourism remains relevant and that what is interpreted, merits educational focus and what is ignored is a function of the complex interaction of commercial potential, political will and social acceptability.
Practical implications: Incorporates the reflections of senior practitioners and academics in a comprehensive review of the dark tourism concept.
Originality/value: Provides a blend of academic and practitioner insight on a facet of tourism that is often misunderstood and even misinterpreted. Observes that dark tourism is an important way of remembering the past and that for many visitors, it offers a form of pilgrimage.