Is dark tourism unethical?
A large number of sites and attractions associated with death, tragedy and disaster have become significant tourist destinations right across the world. At present, we are unsure whether these are attraction-supply driven or consumer-demand driven. Even so, whether people visit these sites for remembrance, education and/or entertainment purposes, dark tourism sites present governments, producers and often consumers with particular moral and ethical dilemmas. Indeed, recent and past tragic history often confronts the dynamics of commercial exploitation and development. Other complex issues are raised surrounding the extent and nature of interpretation and presentation, the appropriate managerial and political responses and the nature of experience perceived by visitors, local residents, victims and their relatives. Hence, whilst the subject of dark tourism is a fascinating, emotive and provocative research area, it is indeed necessary to research the many features of dark tourism, which
