Progress in dark tourism and thanatourism research: An uneasy relationship with heritage tourism

Authors: Light, D.

Journal: Tourism Management

Volume: 61

Pages: 275-301

ISSN: 0261-5177

DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2017.01.011

Abstract:

This paper reviews academic research into dark tourism and thanatourism over the 1996–2016 period. The aims of this paper are threefold. First, it reviews the evolution of the concepts of dark tourism and thanatourism, highlighting similarities and differences between them. Second it evaluates progress in 6 key themes and debates. These are: issues of the definition and scope of the concepts; ethical issues associated with such forms of tourism; the political and ideological dimensions of dark tourism and thanatourism; the nature of demand for places of death and suffering; the management of such places; and the methods of research used for investigating such tourism. Third, research gaps and issues that demand fuller scrutiny are identified. The paper argues that two decades of research have not convincingly demonstrated that dark tourism and thanatourism are distinct forms of tourism, and in many ways they appear to be little different from heritage tourism.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29128/

Source: Scopus

Progress in dark tourism and thanatourism research: An uneasy relationship with heritage tourism

Authors: Light, D.

Journal: TOURISM MANAGEMENT

Volume: 61

Pages: 275-301

eISSN: 1879-3193

ISSN: 0261-5177

DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2017.01.011

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29128/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Progress in dark tourism and thanatourism research: An uneasy relationship with heritage tourism

Authors: Light, D.

Journal: Tourism Management

Volume: 61

Issue: August

Pages: 275-301

ISSN: 0261-5177

Abstract:

This paper reviews academic research into dark tourism and thanatourism over the 1996–2016 period. The aims of this paper are threefold. First, it reviews the evolution of the concepts of dark tourism and thanatourism, highlighting similarities and differences between them. Second it evaluates progress in 6 key themes and debates. These are: issues of the definition and scope of the concepts; ethical issues associated with such forms of tourism; the political and ideological dimensions of dark tourism and thanatourism; the nature of demand for places of death and suffering; the management of such places; and the methods of research used for investigating such tourism. Third, research gaps and issues that demand fuller scrutiny are identified. The paper argues that two decades of research have not convincingly demonstrated that dark tourism and thanatourism are distinct forms of tourism, and in many ways they appear to be little different from heritage tourism.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29128/

Source: BURO EPrints