TY - JOUR
T1 - Dark tourism sites: visualization, evidence and visitation
AU - Lennon, John
N1 - Article not yet online at 1-2-17 (journal webpage: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/whatt)
Author provided AAM 31-1-17; 24m embargo applied
http://emeraldgrouppublishing.com/authors/pdf/embargo.pdf
Acceptance date taken from Emerald email with AAM
Online pub date taken from RSS feed
PY - 2017/4/10
Y1 - 2017/4/10
N2 - Purpose: This paper aims to consider dark tourism sites and their pivotal role as evidence of atrocity and evil. How they are interpreted and the role of visual imagery, most particularly photography, are considered from the perspective of the locations as heritage and learning sites. The complex arguments in relation to conservation and maintenance are juxtaposed with the behaviour of visitors in recording and uploading imagery of such material. This phenomenon allows us to consider the enormity of witnessing such events and viewing such sites as part of contemporary tourist behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: The approach utilizes contemporary literature from tourism, sociology and film studies and uses secondary sources to highlight key sites that illustrate discursive elements of the paper. Findings: This appeal and appetite for photographic and filmic record by visitors to such dark sites illustrates not only an inherent fascination but also a series of dark and recurring themes. However, it is also notable that in some locations, ideological selectivity in development is present and evidence, record and history are challenged. The cases of Cambodia and Russia and elements of their tragic pasts are used to illustrate why key heritage sites are developed as attractions or are ignored as evidential sites. For these reasons, this area still merits evaluation and discussion in tourism. Originality/value: The area of dark tourism has been the focus of researchers for over a decade. However, the areas of selectivity in development, ideological impact on content and the issues related to visualization have not as yet been fully explored. This paper begins to explore issues related to visualization and evidence and how it related to these dark tourism sites.
AB - Purpose: This paper aims to consider dark tourism sites and their pivotal role as evidence of atrocity and evil. How they are interpreted and the role of visual imagery, most particularly photography, are considered from the perspective of the locations as heritage and learning sites. The complex arguments in relation to conservation and maintenance are juxtaposed with the behaviour of visitors in recording and uploading imagery of such material. This phenomenon allows us to consider the enormity of witnessing such events and viewing such sites as part of contemporary tourist behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: The approach utilizes contemporary literature from tourism, sociology and film studies and uses secondary sources to highlight key sites that illustrate discursive elements of the paper. Findings: This appeal and appetite for photographic and filmic record by visitors to such dark sites illustrates not only an inherent fascination but also a series of dark and recurring themes. However, it is also notable that in some locations, ideological selectivity in development is present and evidence, record and history are challenged. The cases of Cambodia and Russia and elements of their tragic pasts are used to illustrate why key heritage sites are developed as attractions or are ignored as evidential sites. For these reasons, this area still merits evaluation and discussion in tourism. Originality/value: The area of dark tourism has been the focus of researchers for over a decade. However, the areas of selectivity in development, ideological impact on content and the issues related to visualization have not as yet been fully explored. This paper begins to explore issues related to visualization and evidence and how it related to these dark tourism sites.
KW - dark tourism
KW - heritage
KW - education
KW - heritage sites
U2 - 10.1108/WHATT-09-2016-0042
DO - 10.1108/WHATT-09-2016-0042
M3 - Article
SN - 1755-4217
VL - 9
SP - 216
EP - 227
JO - Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes
JF - Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes
IS - 2
ER -