In recent years, as a traveller, you may have come across a unique and somewhat controversial form of tourism- Dark tourism. Also known as black tourism, grief tourism or thanatourism, it involves visiting tragedy-hit spots for sightseeing.
Most of the time, travellers are interested in exploring sites associated with death, tragedy, and suffering in history. Although this kind of tourism has a unique appeal, and may offer insights into some of the darkest chapters of our history, it has close ties with educational tourism as it is reflective experiences of historical events.
Thanatourism Hotspots in India and Aboard
Let’s know about those unhappiest historical spots on the earth or destinations visitors venture to when they take dark tourism.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland- The Holocaust. Former Nazi concentration camp where millions of Jews and others were exterminated
- Chornobyl in Ukraine– The site of the 1986 nuclear disaster. To date, it is a dangerous site to visit due to the presence of radiation levels.
- Ground Zero in New York City– The site of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
- Killing Fields in Cambodia– It is a collection of (more than 300) sites where over a million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime
- Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar– The massacre of hundreds of unarmed Indian civilians by British troops in 1919.
- Cellular Jail, Andaman and Nicobar Islands– Known as ‘Kala Pani,’ this colonial prison housed many Indian freedom fighters under brutal conditions.
- Bhopal Gas Tragedy Site, Madhya Pradesh– One of the world’s worst industrial disasters in 1984, the site is associated with the devastating effects of the gas leak.
Dark Tourism: Why It’s Seen as Controversial
Dark tourism offers a complex and often controversial way to explore history. It also raises ethical concerns about the exploitation of tragedy. The reasons, why it sounds debatable are:
- This can be seen as exploiting the tragedies for commercial gain
- Disrespecting the memories of the victims.
- Over-commercialization may lead to a loss of the site’s authenticity and solemnity.
- Negative psychological effects on visitors, including trauma and emotional distress
- It may lead to environmental degradation and the wear and tear of historically significant sites.
Responsible tourism- List of some of the behaviours that shouldn’t be demonstrated by tourists while visiting a dark tourism hotspot
- Smiling, laughing and photographing around those spots that are mementoes of sorrow
- Treating exhibits that show disrespect
- Making unsuitable remarks or using inappropriate language
- Wearing discourteous clothes
- Talking loudly
Travellers should be mindful of the ethical implications and strive to honour the memories of those affected by the tragedies. By doing so, we can ensure that these sites serve as places of learning and reflection rather than mere tourist attractions.
