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Dystopian dark tourism: An exploratory examination

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  • Podoshen, Jeffrey S.
  • Venkatesh, Vivek
  • Wallin, Jason
  • Andrzejewski, Susan A.
  • Jin, Zheng

Abstract

This paper discusses the rapidly emerging fascination with dystopian dark tourism. Using participatory observation, this exploratory study examines and analyzes three specific destinations where tourists engage with both death and dystopia. Through our examination of the Charles Manson ‘Helter Skelter Tour’ in Los Angeles, the H.R. Giger Museum in Gruyeres, Switzerland and the Inferno Music Festival in both Lausanne, Switzerland and Oslo, Norway, we present a model of dystopian dark tourism that integrates dark aesthetics, simulation, emotional contagion and the current global cultural fascination with both utopia and dystopia. We posit that interest in dystopian dark tourism experiences is reflective of an increased insecurity about death, society and its relationship to violence and cultural production.

Suggested Citation

  • Podoshen, Jeffrey S. & Venkatesh, Vivek & Wallin, Jason & Andrzejewski, Susan A. & Jin, Zheng, 2015. "Dystopian dark tourism: An exploratory examination," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 316-328.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:touman:v:51:y:2015:i:c:p:316-328
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2015.05.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Metod Šuligoj, 2019. "Dark Events of the Istrian Countryside: An Electronic Media Perspective," Academica Turistica - Tourism and Innovation Journal, University of Primorska Press, vol. 12(2), pages 121-132.
    2. Luisa Fernanda Tribiño & Leonardo Garavito, 2018. "Debates contemporáneos sobre turismo, tomo IV. Ética y buen vivir. Rflexiones actuales para la planificación y gestión del turismo," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Administración de Empresas Turísticas y Hoteleras, number 29, April.
    3. Podoshen, Jeffrey S. & Yan, Grace & Andrzejewski, Susan A. & Wallin, Jason & Venkatesh, Vivek, 2018. "Dark tourism, abjection and blood: A festival context," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 346-356.
    4. Podoshen, Jeffrey S. & Andrzejewski, Susan A. & Venkatesh, Vivek & Wallin, Jason, 2015. "New approaches to dark tourism inquiry: A response to Isaac," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 331-334.
    5. Light, Duncan, 2017. "Progress in dark tourism and thanatourism research: An uneasy relationship with heritage tourism," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 275-301.
    6. Zhang, Yachen & Moyle, Brent & Lohmann, Gui & de Oliveira, Renan Peres & Chang, Lu & Weaver, David, 2023. "A social identity perspective on dark tourism impacts," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    7. Shepherd, Jack & Laven, Daniel & Shamma, Linda, 2020. "Autoethnographic journeys through contested spaces," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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