People plan vacations based on all kinds of goals, from sports to sleep to sustainability. But for a growing number of people, the focus of travel is much more solemn, or even macabre. This is commonly known as ‘dark tourism’.
Dark tourism isn’t a new travel trend, but it’s as relevant as ever, especially during the spooky season. There’s probably a reason why it spikes around this time of year.
So what exactly is dark tourism and what does it involve? Below, industry experts break down the pros and cons.
What is dark tourism?
Dark tourism refers to an approach to travel that involves visiting places associated with death, tragedy, and suffering.
“We think this covers an incredibly wide range of travel ideas, from places honoring those who died in war to famous crime scenes,” Laura Motta, Lonely Planet’s senior director of content, told HuffPost. told the edition.
Dark tourism destinations include battlefields such as Gettysburg and Omaha Beach, disaster sites such as Chernobyl and Pompeii, haunted buildings such as the Stanley Hotel and Lizzie Borden House, and sites of death and burial such as the Paris Catacombs and the Taj Mahal. Contains relevant locations.
“These are places where travelers dive headlong into a history that is difficult, unpleasant and complex,” Motta said. “If done the right way, it can be a way to learn new things, gain respect, and challenge your own perspectives.”
Some tourists are drawn to places where famous people have died, and are drawn to certain hotel rooms, such as the one where musician Gram Parsons died (and the room where his spirit is said to still remain). Some choose to stay overnight. Some seek tours to locations associated with crime, particularly cold cases involving murder victims such as Elizabeth Short, known as “The Black Dahlia.”
“Dark tourism, especially tours and historic sites with a tragic past, is always popular,” says Lance Zahl, president and founder of the travel company US Ghost Adventures. “However, recently there has been an increased interest in real crime, which has led to even more interest in dark tourism in general.”
The rise of social media has increased traveler awareness of dark tourism and the wide range of associated sites and experiences around the world. There are also shows like the documentary series Dark Tourist, which focuses on the morbid locations of destinations like New Orleans, Japan, South Africa, and Colombia.
Larry Stanford, owner of Ghost Tours in Newport, said, “I think the TV show ‘Ghost Hunters’ has increased people’s interest in the paranormal and made it more mainstream.” . “Our visitors, especially during the summer months, range from couples to families to older people who want to learn about the strange and dark history here.”
Why are people drawn to this type of travel?
“Dark tourism appeals to our curiosity and fascination with death and the unknown,” Dengler said. “I think dark tourism is popular for the same reason that serial killers and horror material are popular: it creates excitement, but it’s also a learning experience that allows for empathy and reflection.”
He added that many dark tourist sites are also traditionally popular historical sites or are located near them, so visiting them would allow for further exploration beyond the death aspect. Dark tourism also offers the opportunity to examine famous places through a new lens.
“I think it’s natural that we need to participate in places where we witness all kinds of human experiences and emotions, both good and bad. It’s how we understand ourselves and our world. is.”
– Laura Motta, Senior Director of Content, Lonely Planet
“Ghost tours are a great way to get to know the real, gritty underworld of a place you’re visiting, rather than the sanitized stories that local tourism boards and chambers of commerce like to share,” says EMT “Bucky,” Mr. Cutright said. Co-founder of Columbus Ghost Tours. “As our society becomes increasingly homogeneous, it also offers unique alternatives to the cookie-cutter tourist trap of the ‘mac vacation’ experience. Unlike ziplines, wax museums, and jump-scare haunted attractions, ghost stories are most often rooted in the past of the place where they occur, and are therefore unique to that location. ”
He believes that ghost stories can also help connect the past with the present.
“It’s one thing to learn about specific people from a city’s history, but hearing that they still haunt the area and might be seen helps keep the history relevant. ,” Cutright explained. “And who doesn’t want a shiver down their spine from time to time?”
Beyond thrills and historical interest, there are emotional reasons to engage in dark tourism.
“You might visit a war memorial to remember a loved one,” Motta said. “I think it’s natural that we need to participate in places where we witness all kinds of human experiences and emotions, both good and bad. It’s how we understand ourselves and our world. is.”
Visiting the sites of dark or macabre events in history may feel too spooky for many tourists, but for others it can provide inspiration, entertainment, self-reflection, and a new perspective on life. It’s a dream vacation filled with new gratitude.
“As someone who not only engages in dark tourism, but also participates in dark tourism, my own travel experiences include finding and staying in haunted old hotels and eating in historic pubs and restaurants. I have to say I’ve been enriched by visiting the places I’ve traveled to: “remote places with gruesome pasts,” Cutright said. “Most of the time these establishments are small businesses and by visiting frequently you not only get a real feel for the place you are visiting, you also support the local economy, which is rewarding in itself. That will happen.”
People are drawn to dark tourism for a variety of reasons, including an interest in history or a personal connection.
Here’s what you need to know before trying dark tourism.
As interest in this type of travel grows, there are many downsides and problematic dynamics.
“I don’t think[dark tourism]is new,” Motta said. “Washington, D.C., is a city full of sombre monuments. Monuments to Auschwitz and Hiroshima were opened in the 1940s and 1950s. It probably doesn’t feel new, but places like this… visiting, viewing, creating inappropriate content on social media, trespassing, disrupting local life, or otherwise being disrespectful to the place and its history. It’s a trend.”
She pointed out that dark tourism could go too far and draw tourists to places they shouldn’t.
“After a devastating wildfire destroyed the town of Lahaina on Maui in 2023, tourists began coming to take photos of the burned-out buildings,” Motta said. “This was not only disrespectful to those who lost their lives and livelihoods, but also created problems for first responders who were prioritizing caring for local communities rather than tourists.”
Dengler recalled that a recent visit to the Paris Catacombs made him think about the downsides of dark tourism.
“While it was a fascinating experience, I couldn’t help but feel like we were disrespecting the remains of everyone there,” he said. “We didn’t touch anything or disturb anything, but none of the people who died there asked for or consented to what is essentially a tourist attraction.”
Another big problem Motta sees is inappropriate or exploitative behavior on sites with austere or complex histories.
“New Yorkers are no strangers to the grinning tourists taking selfies at the 9/11 Memorial,” she says. “The ravages of overtourism and poor etiquette have led to visitor restrictions and even cemetery closures in New Orleans. These types of sites bring incredible meaning and value to travel, but the There is a right way and a wrong way.”
In addition to environmental and conservation concerns, overtourism can undermine the appeal that drew tourists to these places in the first place.
“The monetization of ‘hits’ and ‘likes’ has led to an increase in online articles and social media posts that attempt to address increasingly obscure locations, but in many cases the true history of the site and the “There is no consideration of the ethical implications of disseminating information that has been accessed and shared,” Cutright said. “This has led to an influx of visits and vandalism to quiet, hidden and historic places, robbing them of their secret and special nature.”
“New Yorkers are no strangers to the grinning tourists who take selfies at the September 11 Memorial.”
– Motta
Mindfulness is very important if you decide to visit a place associated with death, crime, war, tragedy, suffering, or any kind of darkness.
“I’m aware of the downsides, but I think dark tourism can be a good thing if done correctly,” Dengler said. “If travelers can maintain a certain level of respect, it’s often an educational and enriching experience.”
He pointed to measures many dark tourist destinations have taken to minimize potential damage, such as limits on the number of visitors per day and signs indicating appropriate behavior.
“For this type of trip, it’s very important to do your research beforehand to understand how and why others visit these places,” Motta urged. “What is the right way to be respectful? How should I dress? A quiet space? Should I leave my kids at home? But why visit these types of sites in the first place?” A little self-reflection also seems right. If you’re looking for the kind of thrills you get from gore and haunted houses, you might want to reconsider or refocus your visit.”
