Dark tourism as a contemporary trend in tourism: ethical dilemmas and development prospects
Keywords:
dark tourism, thanatourism, tourism ethics, tragedy, mobile application, augmented reality, historical memoryAbstract
The article examines the phenomenon of dark tourism as a controversial and growing segment of the travel industry. It analyzes the reasons for tourist interest in sites associated with tragedy and the ethical problems surrounding the commercialization of grief. Key psychological motives of tourists are identified, a classification of dark tourism types is presented, and the necessity for ethical regulation is substantiated. As a solution, the concept of a mobile application called "The Ethical Explorer" is proposed, designed to transform curiosity into a meaningful educational experience and contribute to the preservation of historical memory.
References
Dark Tourism Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024-2031 // Coherent Market Insights. (дата обращения: 14.03.2026).
Foley, M. Dark Tourism: The Attraction of Death and Disaster / M. Foley, J. Lennon. – London : Continuum, 2000. – 184 p. (дата обращения: 14.03.2026.
Jung, T. Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Digital Tourism: Applications and Implications / T. Jung, M. C. tom Dieck. – Cham : Springer, 2018. – 220 p. (дата обращения: 14.03.2026).
Lewis, H. The Ethics of Dark Tourism [Electronic resource] / H. Lewis // Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. – 2023. – Vol. 21, № 3. – P. 312–328 (дата обращения: 14.03.2026).
Республиканская научно-практическая конференция студентов и магистрантов // Белорусская государственная сельскохозяйственная академия : официальный сайт. – 2025. – URL: https://baa.by/ (дата обращения: 14.03.2026).
Stone, P. R. A Dark Tourism Spectrum: Towards a Typology of Death and Macabre Related Tourist Sites, Attractions and Exhibitions / P. R. Stone // Tourism: An Interdisciplinary International Journal. – 2006. – Vol. 54. – № 2. – P. 145–160 (дата обращения: 14.03.2026.
Sharpley, R. Tourism, Tourists and Society / R. Sharpley. – London : Routledge, 2018. – 384 p.
Иванов, А. В. Тёмный туризм: этические аспекты и перспективы развития / А. В. Иванов // Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия : Социология. – 2022. – Т. 22. – № 1. – С. 98–112.
References
Dark Tourism Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024-2031. Coherent Market Insights. (accessed: 03/14/2026). (In English)
Foley M., Lennon J. Dark Tourism: The Attraction of Death and Disaster. London: Continuum, 2000, 184 p. (accessed: 03/14/2026). (In English)
Jung T., tom Dieck M. C. Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Digital Tourism: Applications and Implications. Cham: Springer, 2018, 220 p. (accessed: 03/14/2026). (In English)
Lewis H. The Ethics of Dark Tourism. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change. 2023. Vol. 21, no. 3, pр. 312–328. (accessed: 14.03.2026). (In English)
Respublikanskaya nauchno-prakticheskaya konferencziya studentov i magistrantov [Republican Scientific and Practical Conference of Students and Master’s Students]. [Belarusian State Agricultural Academy: official website]. 2025. (In Russian). Available at: https://baa.by/. (accessed: 14.03.2026).
Stone P. R. A Dark Tourism Spectrum: To-wards a Typology of Death and Macabre Related Tourist Sites, Attractions and Exhibitions. Tourism: An Interdisciplinary International Journal. 2006. Vol. 54, no. 2, pз. 145–160. (accessed: 14.03.2026). (In English)
Sharpley R. Tourism, Tourists and Society. London : Routledge, 2018, 384 p. (In Eng-lish)
Ivanov A.V. Tyomny`j turizm: e`ticheskie aspekty` i perspektivy` razvitiya [Dark Tourism: Ethical Aspects and Development Prospects]. Vestnik Rossijskogo universiteta druzhby` narodov. Seriya : Socziologiya [Bulletin of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Series: Sociology]. 2022. Vol. 22, no. 1, pр. 98–112. (In Russian)
